The government shutdown is snarling air travel. Officials say it could get worse

"And he warned that disruptions could worsen until the government reopens. "If we see there's issues in the tower that are affecting controllers' ability to effectively control the airspace, we'll reduce the rate, and you'll see more delays or you might see a cancellation," Duffy said. "I'm willing to do that before we're willing to risk anyone's life in the air.""

"Travelers across the U.S. are beginning to feel the impacts of the government shutdown, as air traffic control staffing shortages disrupt flights across the country. A dozen Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) facilities saw staffing shortages on Monday, according to an evening advisory from the agency. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy held a press conference at one of them, Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, where he blamed the nationwide delays on a "slight tick-up in sick calls" by air traffic control workers."

"Air traffic controllers played a key role in ending the last government shutdown, which stretched on for 35 days, from December 2018 to January 2019. Only an FAA-described "slight increase" in sick leave at two air traffic control facilities threw major East Coast airports into chaos and increased pressure on the Trump administration to ultimately reach a spending deal wi"

Government shutdown-related pay disruptions are producing air traffic control staffing shortages that are disrupting flights nationwide. A dozen FAA facilities reported staffing shortages, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy attributed nationwide delays to a "slight tick-up in sick calls." Controllers are concerned about working without pay, with some considering second jobs such as driving for Uber. The FAA says it slows traffic into some airports to ensure safe operations and directs travelers to its website for real-time flight impacts. Politicians on both sides are blaming each other. The shutdown began Oct. 1 after partisan disputes largely over health care subsidies. Air traffic controllers previously helped end a 35-day shutdown in 2018–2019.

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