U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned that if the government remains shut down for another week, the country could face mass chaos in air traffic. Duffy stated that if there are not enough air traffic controllers on duty, some parts of the nation’s airspace may need to be temporarily closed.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Duffy said the government shutdown is bringing “increased risk” to air travel. According to Politico, Duffy noted that many of the air traffic controllers he has spoken with could tolerate one missed paycheck, but if two pay periods go unpaid, the situation would become unsustainable.
“If you carry us one week from today, you’re going to see mass chaos. There will be major delays, major cancellations. And we may have to shut down parts of airspace because we don’t have enough air traffic controllers.”
Sean Duffy, U.S. Transportation Secretary
“The System Is Safe for Now, but the Risk Grows Every Day”
Duffy stated that the air travel system is currently safe but warned that if the shutdown continues, flight operations will slow down and cancellations will increase.
As the U.S. government shutdown enters its 35th day, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acknowledges that operational risks are rising due to staffing shortages. Duffy emphasised that if the system reaches a point where it is no longer safe, “he would shut it down entirely.”
Training Processes and the Funding Crisis
While current air traffic controllers are not being paid, uncertainty also looms over new controllers in training at the FAA Academy.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that approximately 600 students training at the FAA Academy will continue to receive pay throughout November. The students reportedly earn an average of $22 per hour, though no clear information has been provided about the source or cost of these payments.
