U.S. could see closed airspace, "mass chaos" next week if shutdown doesn't end, Duffy warns

• Travelers have already seen widespread disruptions at airports over staffing shortages. Duffy has repeatedly warned the situation could worsen.
• Air traffic controller shortages and disruptions have been used as ways to pressure lawmakers to end the shutdown.

What he's saying: "So if, if you bring us to a week from today, Democrats, you will see mass chaos," Duffy said during a press conference Tuesday.

• "You will see mass flight delays. You'll see mass cancellations, and you may see us close certain parts of the airspace, because we just cannot manage it because we don't have the air traffic controllers."

Zoom out: Duffy has indicated several times that the shutdown, now in its second month, could impact the aviation system and put a strain on air traffic control systems.

• "If we thought that it was unsafe, we'll shut the whole airspace down," Duffy told CNBC on Monday.
• He similarly told ABC News that the DOT will delay or cancel "any kind of flight across the national airspace to make sure people are safe" amid shortages.
• "There is a level of risk that gets injected into the system when we have a controller that's doing two jobs instead of one," he added.

Duffy has also spoken about air traffic controllers missing paychecks. He wrote on X on Monday that if the "shutdown doesn't end now, air traffic controllers will receive another $0 paycheck."

• "Many controllers are not coming to work because they have to find a job that WILL pay them so they can survive," Duffy said. "Democrats, the ball is in your court."

What we're watching: The U.S. Travel Association is warning there may be a potential Thanksgiving travel meltdown if the shutdown isn't over by the end of the month.

• Thanksgiving is already a busy travel week, and the shutdown could add more chaos with long lines, delays and cancellations.

Go deeper: Duffy warns of travel disruptions as air traffic controllers face missed paychecks