US Transportation Secretary Warns Flight Delays Expected to Worsen Amid Government Shutdown

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned that flight delays and cancellations across the United States are expected to worsen due to a shortage of air traffic controllers caused by the ongoing government shutdown. Controllers have gone without pay for several weeks, forcing many to make difficult choices between work and personal needs, which has led to significant staffing shortages at major airports including Newark, Atlanta, and others. Despite these challenges, Duffy emphasized that safety remains the top priority and the government would halt air traffic if safety became a concern. The shutdown has persisted for over 30 days, with air traffic controllers missing multiple paychecks, unlike active-duty military personnel who have continued to receive pay. Duffy explained that strict rules limit the administration's ability to pay essential workers like controllers during the shutdown. The situation is expected to cause rolling delays and disruptions, particularly ahead of busy travel periods such as Thanksgiving.