Washington, DC — U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a stark warning on Thursday that air traffic controllers who repeatedly fail to show up for work during the government shutdown risk losing their jobs. His comments come amid a surge in absences that has led to significant delays and disruptions across the nation’s air travel system.
Mounting Disruptions
According to the Department of Transportation, staffing shortages have caused over half of recent flight delays to be linked to air traffic control absences — a sharp increase from the historical average of about 5%. Major airports, including Reagan National, LaGuardia, and Denver International, have reported severe slowdowns, with some control towers temporarily forced offline.
Duffy acknowledged the financial strain on controllers, who are working without pay during the shutdown, but stressed that safety and operational continuity must remain paramount. “They need to go to their jobs. They need to control the airspace,” he said, adding that repeated absences could lead to termination from federal service.
Worker Strain and Union Response
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has urged its members to continue reporting for duty, warning that coordinated absences could be deemed illegal job actions. The union emphasized that controllers are under immense stress, balancing unpaid work with personal financial obligations, but reiterated that public safety cannot be compromised.
Controllers, numbering around 13,000 nationwide, are classified as essential federal employees and are legally required to work through shutdowns. While they are guaranteed back pay once government funding is restored, many face immediate hardships such as missed mortgage payments and mounting bills.
Broader Shutdown Impact
The shutdown, now in its second week, has furloughed thousands of Federal Aviation Administration support staff, further straining an already understaffed system. The Essential Air Service program, which subsidizes flights to rural communities, is also at risk of suspension, potentially cutting off air links for more than 170 small airports across the country.
Outlook
While Duffy insisted that U.S. airspace remains safe, he warned that continued absences could force the FAA to reduce flight capacity nationwide, leading to cascading delays and cancellations. With no resolution to the shutdown in sight, the standoff is placing unprecedented pressure on both the aviation workforce and the broader U.S. travel system.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy Picture from liveandletsfly
