Air Traffic Crisis Deepens as Trump Clashes with Controllers Amid Shutdown
President Donald Trump and air traffic controllers engaged in a heated exchange Monday as the ongoing government shutdown continues to strain the U.S. aviation system, now in its 41st day of disruption.
The situation escalated when Trump threatened to dock the pay of controllers who called in sick, labeling their absences unpatriotic. Taking to his Truth Social platform, the president demanded controllers return to work immediately while offering a $10,000 bonus to those who maintained perfect attendance during the shutdown.
The aviation system has been under increasing pressure, with FlightAware reporting thousands of canceled or delayed flights following nearly 3,000 disruptions the previous day. In response to safety concerns, the Trump administration implemented 10-percent flight reductions at numerous airports across the nation last week.
National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) President Nick Daniels pushed back against Trump’s accusations during a press conference, where controllers marked their second consecutive payless pay period. “Air traffic controllers should not be the political pawn during a government shutdown,” Daniels stated, expressing cautious optimism about an emerging congressional deal.
The human toll of the shutdown became evident as controller Amy Lark, whose husband also works for the agency, shared her family’s struggles. “Yesterday, my kids asked me how long we could stay in our house. Having to answer that question was heartbreaking,” she revealed. Lark also highlighted growing safety concerns as colleagues juggle second jobs, including driving for Uber, to make ends meet.
Democratic Representative Rick Larsen condemned Trump’s remarks as “nuts,” defending the controllers as deserving appreciation rather than “unhinged attacks on their patriotism.”
While a potential resolution appears closer with Senate Democrats advancing a funding bill through January, NATCA’s Daniels reminded that following the 2019 shutdown, controllers waited two and a half months for back pay.
The impact continues to ripple through airports nationwide, with travelers like Jack Nicks at Miami International Airport reporting multiple flight changes and increasing confusion. “It’s a little crazy this morning… I have other friends that are flying today. They’ve already had three flight changes. So it’s a little rough.”
The crisis is particularly concerning given the existing shortage of air traffic controllers in the United States, with unpaid staff maintaining critical safety operations during the prolonged shutdown.
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