President Donald Trump has demanded that all air traffic controllers immediately return to duty as the United States faces a massive wave of flight cancellations linked to the ongoing government shutdown.
In a forceful message posted on social media, Trump warned that any controller who refuses to return will face significant pay cuts, while those who continued working through the 41-day shutdown would be rewarded with a $10,000 bonus.
The shutdown — already the longest in U.S. history — has left around 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA agents working without pay. Many employees have been forced to take second jobs or stay home due to childcare issues, worsening staff shortages at major airports.
The FAA reported that staffing levels have dropped sharply, with 20%–40% of controllers absent daily at the largest airports. Over the weekend, staff shortages hit a record 81 air-traffic control centers nationwide.
Airlines have been heavily impacted. Nearly 2,000 flights were cancelled on Monday, with thousands more delayed — following the worst travel day since the shutdown began. Weather disruptions in Chicago added further complications.
Trump called loyal controllers “GREAT PATRIOTS,” but his criticism of those who took time off drew backlash. Lawmakers and union leaders stressed that employees working without pay deserve support, not blame.
Airline CEOs, including Southwest and American Airlines, urged the government to end the shutdown immediately, calling the ongoing disruption “simply unacceptable” for both passengers and aviation workers.
The FAA has already directed airlines to cut flights by 4%, with reductions expected to escalate to 10% by Friday. The agency is also suspending private-plane traffic at multiple airports facing critical staffing shortages, including Chicago O’Hare and Reagan National Airport.
Even before the shutdown, the FAA was struggling with a shortfall of 3,500 controllers — many working mandatory overtime. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says the administration is trying to boost hiring, retain retirees, and push forward a $12.5 billion modernization plan for air-traffic systems.
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