FAA Shutdown-Proofed: New Bill Guarantees 30 Days of Air Traffic Control During Budget Lapses

The Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2025 is Congress’s attempt to finally solve one of the most frustrating parts of a government shutdown: the chaos it creates for air travel. This bill creates an automatic funding safety net for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) if Congress fails to pass a budget or continuing resolution by the start of the new fiscal year. Specifically, it lets the FAA Administrator tap into unassigned funds within the Airport and Airway Trust Fund—the money generated primarily by airline ticket taxes and fuel fees—to keep the lights on for up to 30 days. This emergency funding covers essential operations, facilities, research, and airport grants, using the funding levels from the previous year’s budget or last continuing resolution (SEC. 2).

No More Air Traffic Control Furloughs

During past shutdowns, air traffic controllers and safety inspectors were often forced to work without pay or be furloughed, creating significant strain on the system and the people running it. This bill changes that equation. If a shutdown hits, this emergency authority immediately kicks in, ensuring that critical functions—like air traffic control and safety oversight—continue uninterrupted. For the traveling public, this means less worry about flight delays and safety risks caused by a skeleton crew or demoralized workforce. For the thousands of FAA employees, it means they keep getting paid and their critical safety work doesn't stop just because of political gridlock.

The 30-Day Clock and the Trust Fund

This funding isn't an open-ended check. The bill establishes a crucial time limit: the money stops flowing after 30 days unless Congress passes a proper funding measure first (SEC. 2). This is a smart move because it prevents the FAA from operating indefinitely without oversight, but it also means that if the political fight drags on past a month, the system reverts to a traditional shutdown. The money used comes from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund, which is funded by travelers and the industry, not general taxpayer dollars. Any money spent under this emergency rule is later charged back to the correct account once the actual budget passes, keeping the accounting clean.

Who This Helps (and Who It Pressures)

This Act is a huge win for operational stability in the aviation sector. Airports relying on federal grants for infrastructure projects, airlines that need stable air traffic control, and the traveling public all benefit from the guaranteed continuity. However, it also subtly shifts the leverage in budget negotiations. By ensuring the FAA—a highly visible and critical agency—doesn't immediately suffer a catastrophic shutdown, it removes some of the immediate public pressure on Congress to pass a budget. The FAA shutdown is often one of the first things that forces a quick resolution. This bill gives lawmakers a 30-day cushion before the air travel system becomes a bargaining chip, potentially allowing other parts of the government to remain unfunded for longer. While the 30-day limit prevents indefinite funding, it’s worth noting that the stability comes at the cost of removing some of the immediate urgency from Capitol Hill.