Government shutdown causes flight delays as air traffic controllers work without pay
The ongoing government shutdown has led to flight delays nationwide as air traffic controllers face unpaid shifts, raising concerns about safety and staffing levels
The ongoing government shutdown has led to flight delays nationwide as air traffic controllers face unpaid shifts, raising concerns about safety and staffing levels
The ongoing government shutdown has led to flight delays nationwide as air traffic controllers face unpaid shifts, raising concerns about safety and staffing levels
The government shutdown has reached an eighth day with still no end in sight. Meanwhile, the number of flight delays across the country is beginning to creep up as federal transportation workers, especially air traffic controllers, continue to work without pay. Some may call out sick due to increasing stress and potential distractions in their high-stakes roles.
, which represents air traffic controllers in the U.S., says that there is no coordinated effort or plan to not show up to work. But the union says pressure on an already stressed system is mounting.
"Our job is to communicate for safety to the American people," NATCA president Nick Daniels said. "Our job is to stand up when we say there is too much risk in this system. And we're telling everyone, the longer that this drags on, the more issues we're going to have to contend with."
NATCA highlighted that many air traffic controllers are working without pay, which has become a major stressor and potential distraction for their zero-error, high-stress job.
Staffing issues have reportedly caused delays at major airports from Boston to Dallas.
It's a scenario reminiscent of the 2019 shutdown, when a number of air traffic controllers called out sick, leading to significant flight delays along the East Coast. The situation contributed to President Donald Trump reaching a deal with lawmakers to end the shutdown.
This time, President Trump has threatened not to back-pay some federal employees. Transportation workers warn that the ripple effects could put flight safety at serious risk.
"We count on federal workers every single day to do our jobs," Sarah Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants, said in a press conference with federal workers on Wednesday. "We know that the first rule is to remove all distractions in order to keep things safe. What could be more of a distraction than not getting a paycheck?"
The shutdown could further hamper an already strained system. Data from our Get the Facts Data Team shows that nearly 96% of air traffic control facilities nationwide were below their target staffing goal for certified professional controllers at the end of fiscal year 2024.
An analysis of 290 air traffic control terminals also found that only three met their staffing targets for fully trained controllers. For example, Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) has a target of 22 certified professional controllers, but currently has 17. Cincinnati International Airport (CVG) has a target of 48 but has 38, meeting 79.2% of its staffing goal. Other airports, including Boston Logan International and Savannah International, also fell short of their staffing targets.
Despite the challenges facing air traffic controllers, a TSA spokesperson stated that its agents have not experienced any delay in operations due to callouts and remain "fully capable of facilitating safe and secure travel for passengers."
But in a statement, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said there have been increased staffing shortages across the system.
"When that happens, the FAA slows traffic into some airports to ensure safe operations," the statement read.
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