The United States Department of Transportation may close parts of the airspace due to a shortage of air traffic controllers, according to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday (November 4), Duffy warned of “mass chaos” if the current government shutdown continues, potentially leading to significant flight delays and cancellations.
The ongoing government shutdown, now over a month long, has left essential workers, including nearly 13,000 air traffic controllers, working without pay. This has resulted in a shortage of 2,000 to 3,000 controllers.. Duffy emphasized the risk of increased flight disruptions, stating, “You will see mass flight delays, you’ll see mass cancellations, and you may see us close certain parts of the airspace because we just cannot manage it.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has acknowledged the staffing crisis, noting that a surge in callouts has exacerbated the situation, particularly in New York-area facilities where almost 80% of controllers are absent. The FAA has stated that they will reduce air traffic flow to maintain safety, which may lead to further delays or cancellations.
The shutdown has sparked a political standoff, with Democrats refusing to support a Republican spending bill they claim undermines healthcare. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the bill, stating it would lead to skyrocketing healthcare costs for Americans. Meanwhile, Duffy urged for a resolution, highlighting the financial strain on air traffic controllers forced to work without pay.
As the shutdown continues, the impact on air travel is expected to worsen, with more than 1,800 flights already delayed and over 50 canceled on Tuesday afternoon, according to FlightAware.com.
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