Daijiworld Media Network- Washington
Washington, Oct 31: As the United States government shutdown entered its second month, growing disruptions in the aviation sector have sparked alarm among industry leaders and federal officials, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) struggling to operate amid dwindling staff and unpaid essential workers.
At a meeting with aviation executives on Thursday, US Vice President JD Vance warned that the prolonged shutdown could lead to a nationwide air travel “meltdown” if the political impasse continues into next month.
“Air traffic controllers will soon be missing their third or even fourth paycheck. It could be a disaster, it really could be,” Vance said, voicing concern that flight delays and cancellations may soon become widespread, making it “very, very hard for the American people to fly.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy echoed the warning, urging Democrats to “stop holding American families’ travel hostage” and stressing that the situation could escalate into an “aviation disaster” if the shutdown persists.
Union reports indicate that hundreds of FAA employees and air traffic controllers have taken up part-time jobs — including food delivery, ride-sharing, and tutoring — to make ends meet after missing their first full paycheck. The staffing crisis has already forced the FAA to issue ground delay programs at several major airports due to insufficient personnel.
Airports such as Newark Liberty International, Los Angeles International (LAX), and Ronald Reagan Washington National have reported delays and temporary ground stops, as air traffic flow restrictions were implemented to manage the shortage of controllers.
Industry experts caution that the situation could worsen further as the busy November travel period and holiday season approach. Duffy warned that many controllers may be compelled to leave their posts if unpaid for multiple pay cycles, leading to “mass disruptions across the nation’s airspace.”
The FAA has also confirmed that recruitment and training of new air traffic controllers have been halted during the shutdown, exacerbating an already fragile staffing situation.
Meanwhile, the political standoff in Washington shows no sign of resolution. Republicans have accused Democrats of demanding healthcare subsidies for illegal immigrants, while Democrats have dismissed the claim as misinformation, asserting instead that their demand is to restore healthcare benefits for American citizens that were cut under the “Big Beautiful Bill” passed earlier this year.
With both sides holding firm, the prolonged deadlock threatens to deepen economic and operational strain across critical sectors, with aviation emerging as one of the hardest hit.