The July 23 FAA shutdown resulted from a stalemate in the U.S. Congress, which refused to approve its budget, putting about 4,000 “non-essential” employees out of work.
It also lifted the requirement for airlines to collect certain ticket taxes, costing about $250 million in lost revenue.
The shutdown, which could last through September, has also forced the agency to issue 200 stop-work orders on construction projects, leaving another 70,000 construction workers jobless.
President Obama has said of the FAA shutdown: “And there is another stalemate in Congress right now involving our aviation industry which has stalled airport construction projects all around the country —and put the jobs of tens of thousands of construction workers and others at risk — because of politics. It’s another Washington-inflicted wound on America, and Congress needs to break that impasse now so these folks can get back to work.”
Tim Cornelison, FAA air traffic manager for the Main Guam Facility, said the island has been exempted from the U.S. government shutdown of the FAA.
He said funding for Guam has already been issued, allowing the local agency to continue its operations.
However, Cornelison said many of the furloughed employees in the U.S. provide critical support to the Main Guam Facility.
“Depending on how long this thing drags on, we will more than likely be affected,” Cornelison said.
Guam International Airport Authority spokeswoman Rolenda Faasuamalie said GIAA is not affected by the FAA shutdown.
“Guam is in a unique position. The federally funded projects we have are in a significantly completed or closeout status or has not been awarded yet,” said Faasuamalie.
Because of this, she said, construction work will continue at the Guam airport.
