Government shutdown risks ATC walkouts – will it affect pilot pay?

Secretary Duffy gave a press conference on Tuesday where he updated reporters on the effects of the shutdown

Transport Secretary Sean Duffy delivered his most urgent warning yet about the operational crisis facing aviation. If the government shutdown extends into next week, the Department of Transport will be forced to close critical sectors of U.S. airspace—a move that could critically disrupt life and earnings for US pilots.

Speaking directly to Democrats on Tuesday about next week's deadline, Duffy outlined the operational reality facing every pilot in the US: "You will see mass flight delays. You'll see mass cancellations, and you may see us close certain parts of airspace, because we just cannot manage it, because we don't have the air traffic controllers."

It is very difficult to predict where the air traffic controllers will walk out from and which facilities will be impacted, however the knock-on effects will be huge. Denver’s Control Centre, for instance, handles all the air traffic above 18,000 feet across parts of New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado.

Duffy provided a further update on Wednesday saying that he would order a 10% cut in flights at 40 major U.S. airports from Friday.

This government shutdown, which began October 1, 2025, has now become the longest in U.S. history. The White House estimates it costs $1 billion in travel-related spending every week. More concerning for flight operations: FAA employees already missed one paycheck on October 28, with the next scheduled for November 11. Approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers are currently working without pay.

Flight crews have been operating under heightened stress and pressure as the shutdown has dragged on.When ATC towers close due to staffing shortages, pilots bear additional cockpit responsibilities, using Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) procedures to self-coordinate positions and intentions—a workload-intensive process typically reserved for uncontrolled airports, not the Class D and higher facilities commercial pilots normally operate out of.

Many pilots have faced long delays as a result of the shutdown affecting their hours worked

Multiple pilot associations representing 30,000 aviators have called on Congress to end the shutdown immediately. In a letter to Capitol Hill, these groups emphasized that safety remains the top priority. Allied Pilots Association President First Officer Nick Silva said, “we stand with our brothers and sisters in air traffic control and TSA who continue to show up to work every day without a paycheck.”

Republican leaders, including Duffy, have placed responsibility for the shutdown on Democrats, pointing to their refusal to vote on further funding until the Trump administration reverses its planned cuts to America's healthcare program. Senate Democrats remain divided on resolution strategy, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stating yesterday that Democrats are not ready to concede. There is speculation that, following notable election victories on Tuesday, the party will feel emboldened to carry on.

Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer has said Democrats are not ready to concede on the shutdown

However, some senators now predict the shutdown could end this week. Senator Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla. Said he was “pretty confident,” whilst Centrist Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota, who has taken part in some of the bipartisan talks on how to get the government reopened, agreed with Mullin, repeatedly saying he’s “optimistic” the shutdown could end this week.

The last major government shutdown in 2019 ended around this time after flight restrictions were imposed at several major airports after ATCs walked out — suggesting a similar outcome may force resolution of the current impasse.

The bottom line for pilots is that they have protection through minimum monthly guarantees (typically 70-75 hours per month). However, cancellations and delays caused by this ongoing shutdown can prevent flights from operating, reducing their actual hours flown and thus their total compensation.