Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Oct. 6 that the government shutdown is adding stress to already overworked and understaffed air traffic controllers, as some areas have seen an uptick controllers in calling in sick.
Although Duffy said the nation’s airspace remains safe, he noted that some air traffic control facilities were experiencing an increase in sick calls — with some missing as many as 50% of employees on any given day since the shutdown started last week. Duffy warned that understaffed facilities could result in flight delays and cancelations as the Federal Aviation Administration limits capacity through some sectors of the airspace.
Duffy said controllers, who are mandatory federal employees, are worried about how to pay their bills while keeping the airspace safe. Thousands of controllers are expected to show up for work during the shutdown. They are not being paid and are set to miss their first paycheck on Oct. 14.
“Now, what they think about as they’re controlling our airspace is, how am I going to pay my mortgage? How do I make my car payment? I have a couple kids at home. How do I put food on the table? I’m working six days a week. Do I have to take a second job and drive Uber when I’m already exhausted from doing a job that’s already stressful to think about how I can make extra money because the government may not provide me a paycheck?” Duffy said during a news conference at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.
The FAA said air traffic control staffing issues were affecting flights at several airports including Newark, Phoenix, Denver, Las Vegas and Burbank. FlightAware reported that more than 5,000 flights in the U.S. on Oct. 6 have been delayed, including 31% arriving flights at Denver, 21% at Newark, and 18% at Las Vegas. Weather issues are also impacting flights.
California governor blames Trump for lack of air traffic controllers at Los Angeles area airport
In a post on X, California Gov. Gavin Newsom blamed President Donald Trump for the lack of air traffic controllers at the Hollywood Burbank Airport in Los Angeles County.