Transportation Secretary Warns of Worsening Airport Delays Amid Prolonged Government Shutdown

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has indicated that airport delays are anticipated to increase as the government shutdown extends into its fifth week, leaving air traffic controllers unpaid.

"I think the real consequence is, what kind of rolling delays do you have throughout the system, right?" Duffy stated on "Face the Nation." "We've seen problems at L.A., in Dallas, in D.C., Boston, Atlanta. And so I think it's only going to get worse."

Duffy emphasized that the federal government will intervene if safety becomes a concern, adding, "We're not going to let that happen."

His remarks coincide with reported ground delays at major airports, including a four-hour delay at Newark Liberty Airport, one of the nation's busiest hubs. Staffing shortages have also been noted at airports in Nashville, Tennessee; Jacksonville, Florida; Austin, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Northern California; and Newark, New Jersey.

The timing is particularly critical, as these disruptions occur just weeks before the busy Thanksgiving travel period.

Air traffic controllers, who have been working without pay due to the shutdown, are facing difficult decisions. Duffy highlighted their predicament: "They're being confronted with a decision: do I put food on my kids' table, do I put gas in the car, do I pay my rent or do I go to work and not get paid?"

Despite the challenges, Duffy ruled out the possibility of the administration finding alternative means to pay air traffic controllers, citing strict legal constraints on the use of funds. He urged Congress to reopen the government and negotiate their differences to resolve the situation.

While Duffy had previously suggested that air traffic controllers who fail to report to work could be dismissed, he clarified that he does not plan to fire controllers who are struggling to meet their financial obligations during the shutdown.

The Trump administration continues to attribute the shutdown to Democratic lawmakers. However, Democratic Senator Mark Warner suggested that resolving the shutdown will require active intervention from the president.

"The president of the United States has said when he was not president that it's the responsibility of a president to end shutdowns. He has paid no attention to the shutdown. He's stopped his many international trips; come sit down and let's get this resolved," Warner stated.

As the shutdown persists, concerns grow over its impact on the nation's air travel system and the well-being of essential federal employees.