Trump threatens controllers, US flight cancellations will drag on
Written by JOSH FUNK and KEN SWEET, AP Business Writers
NEW YORK (AP) — As the number of flight cancellations and delays at U.S. airports continues to rise, frustration is mounting. These disruptions are expected to worsen this week and persist even after the government shutdown comes to an end.
President Donald Trump urged air traffic controllers on Monday to return to work immediately.
The Federal Aviation Administration had to cancel thousands of flights over the weekend due to the shutdown and the absence of some unpaid air traffic controllers, who have stopped showing up due to increased stress and the need to take on extra jobs.
Trump took to social media on Monday to propose a $10,000 bonus for controllers who have continued to work every day and suggested cutting pay for those who haven’t.
The head of the controllers union expressed that they are being used as a “political pawn” in the shutdown battle.
The Senate has taken an initial step toward reopening the federal government, but the final approval may still be days away. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized last week that flight cuts will continue until safety measures improve.
Airlines were forced to cancel thousands of flights over the weekend to comply with the directive to reduce flights by 4%. This percentage is set to increase to 6% at 40 of the busiest airports in the country on Tuesday and eventually reach 10% by the end of the week.
On Sunday, 10% of all flights nationwide were canceled, making it the fourth worst day for cancellations since January 2024. The ripple effects of these cancellations are felt throughout the aviation system.
Passengers are becoming increasingly frustrated with the situation. Todd Walker, whose flight was canceled over the weekend, expressed his disappointment at missing his mom’s 80th birthday party.
Airlines had already canceled 1,600 flights for Monday and nearly 1,000 for Tuesday, with international flights remaining unaffected.
Starting Monday, the FAA imposed additional flight restrictions, prohibiting business jets and many private flights from using a dozen airports where commercial flight restrictions are already in place.
Flight delays have been impacting airports nationwide since the start of the shutdown due to staffing shortages at FAA facilities.
Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, highlighted the increased stress and risks faced by controllers during the shutdown.
He emphasized that the erosion of safety margins due to the shutdown is a critical issue that affects the public’s safety on a daily basis.
Controllers are struggling with financial challenges, with some unable to afford childcare to come to work and others taking on additional jobs to make ends meet.
Tuesday marks the second missed payday for air traffic controllers and other FAA employees. The timeline for receiving back pay once the shutdown ends remains uncertain.
The shortage of air traffic controllers has been a long-standing issue, exacerbated by the shutdown according to Duffy. Efforts to address the shortage through recruitment, training acceleration, and retention bonuses were underway before the shutdown.
Duffy warned that if the shutdown persists, the situation could worsen as the holiday travel season approaches, potentially leading to a significant reduction in air travel by Thanksgiving.
Funk reported from Omaha, Nebraska. Associated Press writers Wyatte Grantham-Philips and Michael R. Sisak in New York, Stephen Groves and Kevin Freking in Washington, Rio Yamat in Las Vegas and John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio, contributed to this report.
