Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Oct 24: As the US government shutdown enters its 23rd day, federal officials and Republican leaders warned that air travel disruptions are expected to worsen, potentially affecting millions of holiday travelers. With around 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA officers working without pay, the aviation sector faces mounting strain. Controllers are set to miss their first full paycheck on Tuesday, raising concerns over flight delays and cancellations.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt cautioned, “We fear there will be significant flight delays, disruptions and cancellations in major airports across the country this holiday season. If Democrats continue to shut down the government, they will also be shutting down American air travel.” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy echoed the warning, saying, “I can’t guarantee you that your flight will be on time. It will depend on our air traffic controllers coming into work every single day.”

Data from the US Department of Transportation highlighted the impact: last week, absences among air traffic controllers accounted for 53% of flight delays since the shutdown began, compared with a normal rate of 5%. Though some days this week saw fewer delays, pressure remains, particularly in New York and Washington, where air traffic has been deliberately slowed to maintain safety.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently about 3,500 controllers short of staffing targets, with many employees already working extended hours prior to the shutdown. House Speaker Mike Johnson urged Democrats to pass legislation to reopen the government, citing the FAA’s inability to pay its staff.

Senate efforts to ensure pay for federal workers during the shutdown have so far been blocked. The Shutdown Fairness Act, sponsored by GOP Senator Ron Johnson, failed to secure the 60 votes needed to advance, with Democrats arguing it gave the president excessive discretion over payments. Democratic-backed measures, including the True Shutdown Fairness Act and the Military and Federal Employee Protection Act, were also blocked by Johnson, leaving federal workers, military personnel, and contractors without wages for the duration of the shutdown.

With negotiations stalled and key bills blocked, experts warn that air travel may face increasing delays and disruptions in the coming weeks, adding pressure on lawmakers to resolve the standoff.