U.S. Transportation Secretary Warns "Entire Airspace May Be Closed"... Fears of Airport Paralysis from Shutdown

3.2 Million Passengers Affected Since Shutdown Began
Concerns Over Flight Disruptions Ahead of Thanksgiving

The prolonged U.S. federal government shutdown has intensified the shortage of air traffic controllers, raising alarms across the entire U.S. aviation system.

On the 30th of last month (local time), travelers were moving with their luggage at Orlando International Airport in Florida, USA. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

On the 3rd (local time), U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy stated in an interview with CNBC, "If we determine it is not safe, we will close the entire airspace," and added, "We will not allow people to travel by air." He continued, "We are not at that level yet, but the current risks in the air traffic control system have significantly increased."

As the federal government shutdown has extended beyond a month, the shortage of air traffic controllers has worsened, and fatigue among working staff has increased. The 13,000 air traffic controllers currently on duty are classified as essential personnel and are working without pay. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), this is still about 3,500 short of the target staffing level. As a result, most controllers have been working overtime or six days a week. Consequently, major airports have seen a series of flight delays and cancellations, causing passengers to endure long wait times. On the 31st of last month, 6,200 flights were delayed and 500 flights were canceled nationwide, with Secretary Duffy reporting that 65% of these disruptions were due to controller absences. Secretary Duffy also stated that there are no plans to fire controllers who took leave, saying, "We are asking all of them to return to work."

Due to the shortage of controllers, disruptions continued with 4,600 flights delayed and 173 canceled on the 1st, and 5,800 delayed and 244 canceled on the 2nd. On this day as well, by the afternoon, 2,900 flights had been delayed. Airlines for America, a major airline association, reported that since the shutdown began on the 1st of last month, 3.2 million passengers have been affected by delays and cancellations due to the lack of controllers, with 300,000 impacted on Halloween alone, the 31st of last month.

Major U.S. airlines such as Delta, United, Southwest, and American, along with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, have urged Congress to pass a temporary budget bill to end the shutdown. Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, expressed concern that serious disruptions to flight bookings and operations are expected ahead of the busy Thanksgiving holiday travel season at the end of this month.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.