The US aviation sector faced fresh turmoil on Monday as more than 2,300 flights were canceled and over 8,700 delayed, following President Donald Trump’s warning that air traffic controllers who called in sick during the government shutdown would have their pay docked.
The President criticized absent workers as unpatriotic, prompting a swift response from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA). The union praised controllers still on duty without pay as “unsung heroes” and urged Congress to end the record-breaking 41-day shutdown, declaring, “Enough is enough.”
The aviation industry, already strained by a shortage of staff before the shutdown, now faces additional pressure amid rising passenger volumes ahead of the Thanksgiving travel season. Carriers have already canceled 1,100 additional flights scheduled for Tuesday, according to FlightAware.
The Trump administration last week ordered a 10 percent reduction in flights at major airports due to “staffing triggers.” On Monday, Trump took to Truth Social, insisting that “All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!!” and promising a $10,000 bonus for the “GREAT PATRIOTS” who continued working during the crisis.
Meanwhile, NATCA President Nick Daniels described the situation as dire, warning against making aviation workers “political pawns.” He welcomed congressional efforts to pass a temporary funding bill as “a right step in the right direction,” though he cautioned that back pay could take months to arrive once the shutdown ends.
A NATCA statement released later in the day reinforced the call for respect: “This nation’s air traffic controllers have been working without pay for over 40 days. Many are working six-day weeks and ten-hour days without any pay.”
Democratic Congressman Rick Larsen condemned Trump’s remarks, calling them “nuts,” and insisted that controllers “deserve our thanks and appreciation, not unhinged attacks on their patriotism.”
During an interview on Fox News, Trump doubled down on his promise of bonuses but admitted uncertainty over the funding source. “I don’t know. I’ll get it from someplace…I always get the money from someplace,” he said.
The shutdown’s toll continues to ripple through families and travelers alike. Amy Lark, an air traffic controller from Virginia, revealed that both she and her husband work for the agency and have gone weeks without pay. “Yesterday, my kids asked me how long we could stay in our house. Having to answer that question was heartbreaking,” she said.
Travelers are also feeling the impact. “It’s a little crazy this morning,” said Jack Nicks at Miami International Airport. “I have other friends flying today—they’ve already had three flight changes. So it’s a little rough.”
With a temporary spending bill advancing through Congress, hopes are rising that America’s longest government shutdown may soon end—though uncertainty remains about what happens next.
What you should know
The ongoing US government shutdown, now past 40 days, has led to major air travel disruptions and financial hardship for federal workers.
President Donald Trump warned air traffic controllers who skipped work of pay cuts while promising bonuses to those on duty. NATCA and lawmakers are urging Congress to end the crisis immediately.
