WASHINGTON (TECHY QUANTUM) — The White House warned Thursday that the ongoing government shutdown could cause significant disruptions to US air travel as it stretches into its 23rd day, leaving tens of thousands of essential aviation workers without pay.
Officials fear that the combination of unpaid air traffic controllers, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, and mounting staffing shortages could lead to widespread flight delays and cancellations during the upcoming holiday rush.
“If Democrats continue to shut down the government, they will also be shutting down American air travel,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a briefing, placing blame squarely on congressional gridlock.
Roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA officers are currently working without pay due to the funding lapse, according to the US Department of Transportation.
These employees are legally required to report for duty but have not received a paycheck since the shutdown began. House Speaker Mike Johnson said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) no longer has resources to pay essential workers and urged Congress to act swiftly.
“The FAA can’t operate on goodwill alone. It’s time to reopen the government and keep America’s skies moving,” Johnson said. Democrats, however, pushed back on claims that they are responsible for the impasse.
They argue that the Trump administration’s refusal to negotiate over budget provisions, including new healthcare subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, is the primary cause of the stalemate.
“Donald Trump needs to come to the table and negotiate,” said Senator Chris Van Hollen, Democrat of Maryland. “The American people shouldn’t have to pay the price for political games.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that missed paychecks could severely impact the reliability of the air travel system.
“I can’t guarantee your flight will be on time, or that it won’t be canceled,” Duffy said at a Capitol Hill press conference. “We’re relying on thousands of dedicated controllers who continue to show up despite not being paid.”
Aviation analysts say the prolonged shutdown could have a cascading effect on the entire airspace system. Dr. Lauren Fisher, an aviation policy expert at Georgetown University, said the risk lies in fatigue and absenteeism.
“Controllers are already stretched thin, often working six day weeks,” Fisher said. “If this continues, morale and focus will deteriorate, and that’s where safety risks start to emerge.”
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association echoed similar concerns, stating that many of its members are already struggling to cover basic expenses.
“These professionals are doing one of the most stressful jobs in America, and now they’re being asked to do it for free,” a union spokesperson said.
According to FAA data, staffing shortages linked to absenteeism have accounted for 53 percent of all flight delays since the shutdown began, compared with just 5 percent under normal conditions.
A Department of Transportation official said the situation fluctuates daily, with absences causing 21 percent of delays on Tuesday and 1 percent on Wednesday.
The FAA is already short about 3,500 air traffic controllers nationwide, a gap that existed even before the shutdown began. During the 2019 shutdown, which lasted 35 days, similar conditions led to significant slowdowns in New York and Washington, forcing temporary restrictions on air traffic.
“History is repeating itself,” said James Cartwright, a former FAA operations manager. “Once paychecks stop, people stop coming in. It’s not about politics it’s about survival.”
At Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport, traveler Maria Santos described the anxiety spreading among passengers. “People are nervous,” she said.
“Every announcement about a delay makes the whole terminal groan. It feels like everyone’s holding their breath, hoping their flight won’t get canceled.”
Meanwhile, some TSA officers say they’ve reached a breaking point. “I love my job, but I’ve got rent and a family,” said one officer at Dallas Fort Worth Airport who requested anonymity. “I’ve been borrowing money just to make ends meet.”
Airlines are also preparing contingency plans. A spokesperson for Delta Air Lines said the company is “closely monitoring staffing conditions” and “coordinating with the FAA to minimize passenger disruption.”
The Senate is expected to vote on legislation that would temporarily fund essential workers during the shutdown, but prospects for passage remain uncertain.
If the standoff continues, officials warn that major hubs such as Chicago O’Hare, Atlanta, and Los Angeles could experience cascading delays throughout the holiday season.
Industry groups are urging both parties to end the impasse quickly. “The nation’s air travel network is too critical to be caught in political crossfire,” said Rebecca Cole, spokesperson for Airlines for America. “Every day this continues, the economic and operational costs grow.”
Experts estimate that if the shutdown extends past another week, the US economy could lose hundreds of millions of dollars in travel related revenue due to flight cancellations, lost work hours, and reduced tourism.
As the shutdown grinds on with no clear resolution, pressure is mounting on both the White House and Congress to act before the nation’s holiday travel season reaches full swing.
With thousands of air traffic controllers and TSA officers working without pay and fatigue setting in, the nation’s air system faces one of its most significant stress tests in recent memory.
Whether lawmakers can reach a deal in time to keep planes flying smoothly may determine the tone of the holidays for millions of American travelers.