Transportation Secretary Duffy Warns Nationwide Flight Delays Amid Ongoing Government Shutdown

The ongoing government shutdown has caused air traffic controllers to miss their paychecks, leading to increased financial stress and a rise in sick calls among controllers. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and National Air Traffic Controllers Association President Nick Daniels warn that these absences could result in more widespread and severe flight delays nationwide, as the FAA was already experiencing staff shortages before the shutdown. Currently, most delays remain isolated and temporary, with about 80% of flights still on time at major airports, but the situation is expected to worsen if the shutdown continues. Some controllers have taken second jobs to manage living expenses, further complicating staffing issues. Duffy emphasized that reduced controller availability will force the FAA to slow or temporarily halt air traffic to maintain safety. The political blame for the shutdown was directed at Democrats by Duffy, who highlighted the risk of prolonged disruptions to air travel.