Government Shutdown Disrupts Air Travel as Controllers Work Without Pay

Strategic Insights -

As the U.S. government shutdown enters its 24th day, significant disruption to air travel is anticipated, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warning of impending delays due to air traffic controllers missing their first full paycheck. Approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers and around 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers are currently working without pay, intensifying concerns over aviation safety.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Transportation Department announced that about 6.6% of flights delayed Thursday were due to air traffic controller absences, slightly above the normal 5%, but much lower than the 53% seen on prior days during the shutdown.
  • Air traffic control staffing issues forced the FAA to delay travel at airports in New York, Washington, Newark, and Houston on Thursday.
  • The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) air traffic controller academy will run out of money within weeks to pay air traffic control students and a few students have already decided to withdraw or not begin classes.
  • Republicans including Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy blame Democrats for not reopening the government, while Democrats say it is President Donald Trump and Republicans who refuse to negotiate over health care subsidies that expire at the end of the year.
  • National Air Traffic Controllers Association President Nick Daniels warned that controllers are under immense stress, some are taking second jobs to pay their bills, and the shutdown "leads to an unnecessary distraction, and they cannot be 100% focused on their jobs, which makes this system less safe."
  • Democrats, including Representative Rick Larsen, are urging Republicans to negotiate, saying "Controllers should never have to wonder where they will find money to pay their mortgage or put food on the table."
  • The FAA is about 3,500 air traffic controllers short of targeted staffing levels and many had been working mandatory overtime and six-day weeks even before the shutdown.

Statistics:

  • Approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers are working without pay.
  • Around 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers are currently working without pay.
  • 6.6% of flights delayed Thursday were due to air traffic controller absences.
  • The FAA is about 3,500 air traffic controllers short of targeted staffing levels.
  • 53% of flights were delayed on prior days during the shutdown.

Sources:

  • David Shepardson, Significant disruption to air travel is anticipated as the U.S. government shutdown enters its 24th day
  • Transportation Department
  • Fox News
  • AP Photo/David Zalubowski
  • AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough