Hollywood Burbank Airport in California faced hours of disruption on Monday, 6 October, after its air traffic control tower was left unmanned for nearly six hours. The incident, which occurred between 4:15 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. PDT, caused widespread flight delays and cancellations, prompting speculation among travellers about whether the airport was shutting down.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the situation resulted from staffing shortages linked to the ongoing federal government shutdown. With air traffic controllers working without pay, absenteeism has risen sharply, creating coverage gaps at several regional airports, including Hollywood Burbank.
