US President Donald Trump on Monday urged air traffic controllers to return to work as the United States continues to face major air travel disruptions linked to the ongoing government shutdown.
The aviation system has been severely affected in recent days due to staff shortages. Air traffic controllers, who are working without pay during the shutdown, have reported growing financial pressure. Some are taking secondary jobs or missing shifts because they cannot afford child care.
According to an airline industry group, about 1.2 million passengers experienced flight delays or cancellations over the weekend. Thousands of flights have been impacted nationwide.
Trump warned that controllers who do not return to work will face pay cuts, while those who continue working will be eligible for a $10,000 bonus. He did not clarify how these bonuses would be funded or how pay reductions would be enforced once the government reopens.
Even before the shutdown, the Federal Aviation Administration was short on staff. Many air traffic controllers had already been working six days a week with mandatory overtime.
The shutdown, now the longest in U.S. history, has led to staffing issues at nearly two dozen airports. The FAA confirmed delays and ground stop orders at major airports including New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Phoenix, and Las Vegas.
More than 2,380 flights were canceled and nearly 9,000 were delayed on Monday alone, according to flight tracking data. Airline executives say it may take time for operations to stabilize even if government funding is restored soon.
The FAA has already required airlines to reduce flights at major airports by several percentage points. This reduction is expected to increase later in the week, raising concerns ahead of the busy Thanksgiving travel period.
Airline companies and union leaders are urging a quick resolution. They say both federal workers and passengers are suffering as the shutdown continues.
“This is simply unacceptable, and everyone deserves better,” American Airlines Chief Operating Officer David Seymour said in a message to employees.
