By Kolby R. LaMarche

As the federal government shutdown drags into its 37th day—the longest in U.S. history—the Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (BTV) is bracing for potential disruptions despite dodging major delays so far. 

With air traffic controllers working unpaid amid chronic national shortages, airport officials warn that the strain could soon ripple to Burlington’s skies. 

BTV, which serves about 1.4 million passengers yearly and generates $500 million in regional economic impact, has avoided the severe ground stops plaguing hubs like Orlando and Newark. 

But the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) says problems are looming. Nationwide, the FAA is short 3,500 controllers from its 14,000-person goal, forcing mandatory overtime and six-day weeks pre-shutdown. 

Over the weekend, 46 facilities hit staffing “triggers,” causing delays at 40 major airports. In response, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Wednesday that flights could drop 10% at those sites starting Friday to ease controller fatigue, potentially affecting BTV’s routes to New York and Boston.

At BTV, the single control tower juggles commercial jets, general aviation, and Vermont Air National Guard F-35s over Lake Champlain. 

Aviation Director Nic Longo told a community forum last month that any staffing dip would strain the “relatively small” team, given the airport’s outsized role. Controllers, facing zero paychecks since October 28, report rising stress and sick calls—up 10% nationally since the shutdown began. 

In a statement today, the airport said it was uncertain if it would be impacted by any staff shortages, but urged the public to “stay in close contact with their airlines for the most up-to-date flight information and to arrive at the airport at least two hours prior to departure.”

Amid the shutdown chaos, BTV is still pressing ahead with a major upgrade. 

The North Concourse expansion, part of a $145 million five-year plan, broke ground earlier this year and remains on track for completion. The project adds five new gates for larger aircraft, extra seating, and a public observation deck that nods to the airport’s original tower. The goal: handle 2 million passengers a year by 2030. 

A $5.8 million FAA grant awarded in June is funding corridor rebuilds and jet bridge replacements to improve accessibility. New low-cost routes from Breeze and Frontier to Florida have already lifted traffic 4% over last year, according to Director Nic Longo, helping support roughly 4,000 local jobs.

BTV’s rebound is all the more striking given recent turbulence. Just last year, JetBlue pulled out entirely after two decades, citing high costs and New York-area congestion. United slashed its daily Newark flights from four to one, and American trimmed Charlotte service. Yet passenger counts still climbed.