Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has predicted severe disruptions to air travel next week if the ongoing government shutdown persists and air traffic controllers miss their second paycheck.
Already, numerous delays have occurred at airports nationwide, with some delays stretching into hours as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responds to staffing shortages. Just last weekend, Newark Liberty International Airport experienced significant delays due to a high volume of missed shifts among controllers.
Duffy has warned that if the situation continues to escalate, the chaos will intensify. He stated, “Many of the controllers said ‘A lot of us can navigate missing one paycheck. Not everybody, but a lot of us can. None of us can manage missing two paychecks.’” He emphasized that the consequences could include mass flight delays and cancellations, as well as potential airspace closures across the country.
To date, most flight disruptions have been isolated but are expected to worsen if Congress fails to resolve the shutdown. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association and Duffy have called upon controllers to continue reporting for duty despite the mounting financial pressure.
Experts warn that considerable delays could ripple through the flight system, especially as Thanksgiving approaches, traditionally a peak travel season. The U.S. Travel Association indicated that the shutdown has already cost the economy over $4 billion and emphasized the urgency for Congress to act swiftly to avoid further disruptions.
While the total number of flight delays since the shutdown began has remained within typical limits, reports indicate as of Tuesday, there were over 1,900 delays recorded nationwide. The pressure mounts on lawmakers to end the standoff before impending holiday travel impacts millions of Americans.
