Transportation Secretary Warns Shutdown Threatens US Air Travel Safety, Services

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that the ongoing federal government shutdown is severely straining the nation's air traffic control system, with controllers working without pay amid rising stress and sick calls, which is causing delays and impacting safety measures. Despite the challenges, controllers continue to maintain system safety, but the shutdown risks exacerbating staffing shortages and hindering FAA modernization efforts, including training new controllers. Duffy also highlighted that rural and small communities across all 50 states could lose federal airline subsidies through the Essential Air Service program as early as Sunday if the shutdown persists, threatening commercial air service to these areas. The Transportation Department has exhausted its resources to keep these subsidies running temporarily, but funding will lapse, potentially leading to flight cancellations and reduced air connectivity for small communities. The shutdown affects thousands of essential workers, including about 13,000 air traffic controllers and over 61,000 TSA employees, who must work without pay, increasing the risk of sick calls and service disruptions. Congressional gridlock is being blamed for holding up resolution, with calls from union leaders and officials for an immediate end to the shutdown to prevent further harm to aviation safety and infrastructure progress.