US EditionSean Duffy Says He Doesn't Want Air Traffic Controllers Working as Uber Drivers During Shutdown
Over 13,000 air traffic controllers are working without pay during the government shutdown, causing increased sick calls, staffing shortages, and flight delays, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.
- On Monday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned at Newark Liberty International Airport, New Jersey, that air traffic controllers face more stress as they are unpaid and will miss their first paycheck on Oct. 14.
- Beginning Oct. 1, the federal government shutdown started as funding lapsed, with Republicans needing at least 8 Senate Democrats' votes amid Medicaid and ACA policy disputes.
- About 13,200 air traffic controllers are working without pay during the shutdown, FlightAware reported over 5,000 U.S. flights delayed on Oct. 6, and the system faces a shortage of about 3,000 controllers.
- This Sunday, funding for the Essential Air Service program will run out, threatening subsidized flights to small and regional airports and slowing FAA hiring and training programs.
- Duffy cautioned that increased sick calls could force the Federal Aviation Administration to reduce air traffic flow, recalling 50% absences and sickouts that slowed traffic during the 35‑day 2019 shutdown.
165 Articles
165 Articles
Transportation Secretary worried that air traffic controllers may 'have to take a second job and drive Uber' because of government shutdown
"Now what they think about as they’re controlling our airspace is, 'How am I going to pay my mortgage? How do I make my car payment?"
California airport faced delays Monday evening while air traffic control tower was unstaffed
BURBANK — Travelers at Hollywood Burbank Airport encountered delays Monday amid an air traffic controller staffing shortage linked to the ongoing federal government shutdown. Departure and arrival boards showing all flights delayed or canceled as a lack of air traffic controllers at Hollywood Burbank Airport delayed flights Monday, Burbank CA. Oct 6, 2025. (Photo by Gene Blevins, Contributing Photographer) Boards showing all flights delayed or c…
Airports See Staffing Shortages Driven by Government Shutdown
As the government shutdown continues, airports across the United States are experiencing flight delays due to staff shortages, according to the FAA. In Burbank, California, the air traffic control tower was left completely unmanned for roughly six hours. It comes as Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says there has been a slight increase of sick calls. NBC’s Tom Costello reports for TODAY.
An LA airport was left without air traffic controllers for 6 hours as the government shutdown causes travel chaos
The unstaffed air traffic control tower at Hollywood Burbank Airport on Monday.FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty ImagesTravellers across the country faced delays due to air traffic controller staffing shortages.Hollywood Burbank Airport was left unstaffed for around six hours on Monday evening.Controllers aren't being paid during the government shutdown, as slightly more are calling in sick.A Los Angeles area airport had no air traffic controllers…
Transportation Sec.: Govt Shutdown Adds Stress on Air Traffic Controllers
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Monday that the government shutdown is putting more stress on air traffic controllers who already have an extremely stressful job, as well as threatening a program that small communities rely on to help subsidize airline...
Airport Goes Without Air Traffic Controllers for Hours
The Federal Aviation Administration reported staffing strains at several airports on Monday, as the ongoing government shutdown continued to take its toll. The issue was particularly acute at Hollywood Burbank Airport in the Los Angeles area, where no air traffic controllers were slated for the tower during a nearly six-hour...
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