The Department of Transportation may be compelled to impose restrictions on certain airspace across the country if the ongoing government shutdown extends into next week, warned Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy during a press briefing on Tuesday. Duffy emphasized the potential ramifications, stating, "If you bring us to a week from today, Democrats, you will see mass chaos. You will see mass flight delays. You'll see mass cancellations, and you may see us close certain parts of the airspace, because we just cannot manage it due to the lack of air traffic controllers."
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), nearly 50% of major air traffic control facilities are currently grappling with significant staffing shortages. This alarming situation arises as approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers are required to work without pay during the government shutdown. Just last Friday, the FAA reported that 80% of the air traffic control staff in the New York area had called out sick, exacerbating the crisis.
Secretary Duffy expressed concern for the dedicated air traffic controllers, stating, "These hard-working Americans have bills to pay, and they are being forced to make decisions and choices." He highlighted the difficult dilemma faced by many controllers: "Do they go to work as an air traffic controller, or do they have to find a different job to get resources, money, to put food on their table, to put gas in their car?" Duffy warned that as the shutdown continues, the situation is likely to worsen, not improve.
In previous comments made on October 9 during an appearance on Fox Business’ Varney & Co., Duffy indicated that air traffic controllers who fail to report for duty could eventually be let go, stating, "When you come to work, you get paid. If you don't come to work, you don't get paid." However, he softened this stance over the weekend during an interview with CBS' Face the Nation, asserting that he would not terminate any air traffic controllers for their absence. "They need support, they need money, they need a paycheck. They don't need to be fired," Duffy clarified.
During a separate interview with ABC News' This Week co-anchor Martha Raddatz, Duffy reiterated the potential for operational disruptions. He stated, "We will delay, we will cancel, any kind of flight across the national airspace to make sure people are safe amid the shortages." This statement came as a ground stop was implemented at Newark Liberty International Airport due to the ongoing staffing issues, illustrating the immediate effects of the air traffic controller shortage.
Duffy concluded by acknowledging the risks associated with the current staffing crisis, noting, "There is a level of risk that gets injected into the system when we have a controller that's doing two jobs instead of one." As the government shutdown persists, the aviation industry and air travel safety remain in jeopardy, highlighting the urgent need for resolution and support for air traffic controllers across the nation.
