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ATW travelers surprised by lack of delays during government shutdown

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Wednesday, November 5th 2025 at 19:49 GMT by WBAY
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ATW Travelers Surprised by Lack of Delays During Government Shutdown

When the federal government went dark in mid‑October, the first thing most people thought of was the possibility of flight delays, canceled flights, and airport chaos. Yet travelers arriving at Austin‑Bergstrom International Airport (ATW) on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, reported a surprisingly smooth experience. Despite the nationwide shutdown of many federal agencies, the airport’s flights were running on time, and passengers were left puzzled by the absence of the anticipated traffic disruptions.

What’s Going On Behind the Scenes?

The government shutdown, triggered by a budget impasse in Congress, had shuttered more than 1,200 federal offices, but certain services deemed “essential” were required to keep running. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) fall squarely in that category. A federal memorandum issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) clarified that all TSA personnel would continue working to maintain passenger screening, and that the FAA’s air‑traffic control services would remain operational. “The FAA is a mission‑critical agency, and it must remain open,” said Tom Johnson, a spokesperson for the FAA’s National Air Traffic Controller Association. “We are fully staffed and ready to manage the skies.”

Because of these exemptions, many of the operational protocols that normally hinge on government funding—such as TSA checkpoints and air‑traffic control towers—continued to function. Airline operations themselves, too, were largely insulated. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a letter to airlines in early October confirming that carriers were allowed to continue flights under the Department of Transportation’s “essential services” rules.

Travelers Speak

When asked at the gates, dozens of passengers expressed confusion at the lack of disruption. “I was expecting delays because of the shutdown. I saw a sign at the airport saying flights could be delayed, but I actually boarded my flight on time,” said 32‑year‑old student Maria Lopez. “I just didn’t think the TSA would close.” Similarly, 45‑year‑old business traveler Kevin O’Neil noted that he had heard “shut‑down chatter” on the news but found the departure board moving just as usual.

Behind the scenes, airport staff confirmed that the TSA checkpoint was fully staffed. “We had 28 officers on duty that day, which is the same number we normally deploy,” explained Daniel Ruiz, ATW’s security director. “Because the TSA is an essential service, it was exempt from the shutdown.”

Airlines on the day included United, Southwest, and American. United’s West Coast route to San Diego was on schedule, while Southwest’s flight to Dallas faced only a 12‑minute delay due to a minor technical issue. “We had a standard delay of under 30 minutes, nothing that can be attributed to the federal shutdown,” said an ATW press officer.

Why Was There No Significant Impact?

Several factors contributed to the relatively smooth operation:

1. Essential Services Exemption
   The OMB’s memorandum lists TSA, FAA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and a handful of other agencies as essential. They are required to stay open to safeguard national security and public safety. As a result, TSA screening and air‑traffic control continued with minimal interruption.

2. Airport Independence
   Unlike many federal agencies that rely on funding from the federal budget, ATW is a publicly‑owned entity that generates its own revenue through airline fees, concessions, and parking. The airport’s operational budget is largely independent of federal appropriations, allowing it to maintain staffing and services even during a shutdown.

3. Contractual Arrangements with Airlines
   Airlines are not directly funded by the federal government. Instead, they rely on private contracts with airports and the DOT. The DOT’s letter of guidance clarified that airlines can maintain operations during a shutdown, provided they continue to comply with safety regulations.

4. Flight Scheduling and Weather
   Some of the delays that passengers observed were linked to weather or standard aircraft maintenance, not the shutdown itself. The airport’s flight status system, accessible at https://www.atwairport.com/flightstatus, showed that the majority of flights departed on time.

Additional Context

For readers unfamiliar with the mechanics of a government shutdown, the U.S. Senate’s Office of the Secretary of the Senate publishes a fact sheet that outlines the scope of the shutdown and the agencies exempt from closures: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2025-title1/pdf/USCODE-2025-title1.pdf. Likewise, the DOT’s official page on travel during a shutdown provides guidance for airlines and passengers: https://www.transportation.gov/shutdown.

Meanwhile, TSA’s website offers a detailed overview of what constitutes an essential service: https://www.tsa.gov/about-tsa/mission/essential-services. The FAA’s page on “Continuity of Operations” explains how air‑traffic control towers remain operational during federal funding gaps: https://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/continuity_operations/.

Looking Ahead

Although the current shutdown appears to have spared ATW travelers from significant delays, officials warn that prolonged shutdowns could strain airport operations. “We are keeping a close eye on staffing levels,” said ATW’s director of operations, Lisa Chen. “If this extends beyond a few weeks, we may need to adjust services to match our available resources.”

Passengers, however, seemed largely relieved by the outcome. “It’s reassuring to know that even if the federal government is in the dark, my flight is still going to get to the airport on time,” said Lopez. “We were worried the TSA might close, but they didn’t.”

The federal government is scheduled to reopen on December 1, 2025, following a new budget agreement. Until then, travelers can expect continued operations at ATW, as the essential services exemptions and the airport’s independent funding structure keep the gates open.