Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy delivered a straightforward appeal to air traffic controllers amidst the disruption in travel caused by the ongoing government shutdown.
“I’m urging air traffic controllers to report to work,” Duffy stated during a recent interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper.
A number of major airports are facing staff shortages due to the shutdown, leading air traffic controllers to work unpaid hours which has caused an increase in sick calls among workers.
Despite these challenges, Duffy emphasized the critical need for air traffic controllers to remain at their stations.
“They must fulfill their responsibilities. They need to ensure airspace safety,” he conveyed to Tapper.
Duffy recognized the potential for air traffic controllers to exhibit some level of dissatisfaction with the current conditions, but reassured them that they would receive pay once the shutdown is resolved.
He further acknowledged the increased stress levels faced by these workers during this period.
“They are under a lot of pressure, questioning how to provide for their families and meet their financial obligations without steady income,” Duffy remarked.
He highlighted the concerning statistics pertaining to the rise in delays attributed to staffing shortages during an interview on FOX News Channel’s “The Will Cain Show.”
“Usually, around 5% of delays are linked to staffing challenges in our control towers,” Duffy noted on Wednesday.
“Recently, that percentage has soared to 53%,” Duffy added.
The Secretary reiterated his request for airport personnel who may be absent to resume their duties while recognizing their frustrations.
“They are working long hours, ensuring the nation operates smoothly, all while lacking assurance of their pay. This understandably leads to their frustration, manifested in their absence from work,” he mentioned to Cain.
Despite being classified as essential, many federal employees must work during the government shutdown without pay, including airport personnel such as TSA staff and air traffic controllers.
Over 14,000 controllers with the Federal Aviation Administration have been working without compensation since the shutdown began on October 1.
The absence of pay has compelled several controllers to call in sick, resulting in increased flight delays and even complete shut down of control towers at some airports for several hours.
These workers will receive back pay once the shutdown ends and the government reopens, but they are currently managing on their own.
In addition to delays at key airports such as Reagan National and LaGuardia, approximately 200 remote communities risk being isolated from necessary services if the government shutdown continues into the weekend.
The Essential Air Service program, which helps subsidize flights at over 170 remote airports nationwide, is projected to run out of funding by Sunday.
Once the funds deplete, reimbursements to smaller airport operations will cease until the federal government is back up and running, as announced by the US Transportation Department on Monday.
Many airports and airlines may face unavoidable suspensions resulting in thousands being virtually cut off from essential resources.
For instance, Nashville International Airport’s air traffic control tower went dark Tuesday night due to staff shortages, marking the second tower to shut down this week.
