Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy predicted Tuesday that there could be chaos in the skies next week if the government shutdown continues and air traffic controllers miss their second paycheck.
Numerous delays have already occurred at airports across the country, slowing or stopping air traffic, particularly noted last weekend at Newark Liberty International Airport, where flights faced hours-long setbacks. Duffy and the head of the air traffic controllers union stressed that the situation will worsen as the financial pressure mounts on employees working without pay, following the missed paycheck on October 28. They are due to miss another check next Tuesday.
“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,’” Duffy remarked. He forewarned that if the shutdown persists, it could result in mass cancellations and major flight delays.
Most flight disruptions during this shutdown have been temporary, but widespread delays could compel Congress to intervene. The industry, amid the holiday season approaching, has experienced a loss of over $4 billion, and stakeholders want an end to the shutdown.
Mike McCormick, former air traffic control head, noted potential measures the FAA could take, like closing parts of the airspace when short on controllers, further complicating the situation during an already busy travel season.
“With Thanksgiving, the busiest travel period of the year, imminently approaching, the consequences of a continued shutdown will be immediate,” said the U.S. Travel Association, exemplifying the urgency for Congressional action to alleviate the ongoing burden on American travelers.
