How Government Shutdowns Ground Our Aviation System: Update

As the federal government shutdown stretches into its fourth week, its effects on air traffic control are being felt at major airports across the country.

Delays specifically related to controller shortages have been infrequent although there were a few incidents at high traffic airports, Chicago O’Hare and Newark.

Yesterday, air traffic controllers missed their first full pay checks and although they will, in theory, receive back-pay after the shutdown ends, dialogue in Congress to resolve this has been slow.

Last week, Senate Democrats rejected a bill that would have paid some government workers during the shutdown, including controllers. And Democrats on the Hill last week were not enthusiastic about a bill from Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to pay controllers, S. 3031. That might not matter anyway, with House Speaker Mike Johnson saying he’s not interested in bringing back his chamber to vote on any such bill.

Aviation officials have been clear that they will do whatever is needed to keep the flying public safe, which could mean flights being delayed or cancelled when controller staffing shortages arise.

Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association union, told Politico last week that the lack of pay is creating risk for the aviation system, with controllers grappling with financial fallout on top of their already stressful jobs.

“Tomorrow will be less safe than it is today,” said Daniels, calling the situation “completely unacceptable.”

The Secretary of Transport Sean Duffy commented on the situation last Friday, saying in an interview with Fox News that “as we get closer to Tuesday and then after, I think we're gonna see far more disruption.”

Controllers have a unique amount of leverage in the ongoing stalemate. If even just a few were to inappropriately call out sick at a large FAA facility, for example, flight delays could quickly mount and up the pressure on lawmakers to cut a deal.

Duffy said that he had asked controllers to show up and, so far, “I think ... we’re seeing less problems in the airspace today than we have in prior shutdowns.”

Forty-four percent of flight delays Sunday were due to staffing shortages, and that percentage dipped to 24 on Monday, he said.

Despite congressional gridlock on the matter, the Trump administration is reportedly looking for ways to pay air traffic controllers using some still-unspecified source of money. 

The caveat is that the White House would have to find $500 million per month to cover their payrolls.