- The U.S. government shutdown is causing rising pressure and risks for the aviation system.
- Air traffic controllers and TSA officers are working without full pay, leading to increased sick calls and flight delays.
- The CEO of Airlines for America warns of severe impact when federal employees receive zero paychecks.
- Previous shutdowns have demonstrated similar disruptions to air traffic and airport operations.
A prominent U.S. airline trade group, Airlines for America, is urgently calling for an end to the 15-day government shutdown, citing escalating risks to aviation safety and system resilience. Chris Sununu, CEO of the group, which represents major carriers like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, expressed concerns about the increasing financial pressure on air traffic controllers who are currently working without pay.
Sununu warned that the situation is becoming more critical daily, as the unresolved shutdown leads to higher pressures and potential risks within the aviation system. He anticipates that the full impact will be felt severely within approximately a week and a half, when federal employees are expected to receive their first “zero paycheck.” While most individuals can manage a couple of missed payments, a prolonged lack of pay after three weeks will place significant strain on the system, according to Sununu.
Aviation groups, including the Air Line Pilots Association and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, have also voiced their alarm and urged a swift resolution to the shutdown. Mounting sick calls by controllers have already resulted in thousands of flight delays since the shutdown began. Approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers have received only partial paychecks recently and face no pay at all if the standoff continues.
Sununu’s primary concern is ensuring the resilience of the aviation system, regardless of the political debates. He highlighted that a system halt, for any reason, would have global repercussions. A similar situation occurred during the 2019 government shutdown, which lasted 35 days, leading to increased absences among controllers and TSA officers, extended airport wait times, and compelled the Federal Aviation Administration to slow air traffic in New York, ultimately pressuring lawmakers to end the shutdown.
