Trump threatens to cut air traffic controllers' pay
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
A passenger takes a video of flight delays on a departure board at Orlando International Airport on Nov. 9 in Orlando, Florida. Photo: Andrew Wevers/Getty Images
President Trump on Monday threatened to dock pay for air traffic controllers missing work during the government shutdown.
Why it matters: The air traffic control system, already strained before the government shutdown, faces more pressure as the record-breaking funding lapse continues.
Driving the news: "For those that did nothing but complain, and took time off, even though everyone knew they would be paid, IN FULL, shortly into the future, I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
- He said he'd recommend bonuses of $10,000 to each controller who didn't take any time off during the shutdown.
Context: Air traffic controllers, who have been working without pay, have increasingly been absent from their posts during the government shutdown.
- Between 15 and 20 air traffic controllers have retired per day during the shutdown — up from about four per day, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Sunday during an interview on CNN's "State of the Union."
Zoom out: The callouts were not part of an organized pressure campaign — something the union would not condone — Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, said during a Monday news conference.
- "Before the shutdown, air traffic controllers got sick," Daniels said. "During the shutdown, air traffic controllers get sick. After the shutdown ends, air traffic controllers will get sick."
Catch up quick: The Federal Aviation Administration is implementing flight cuts and reductions — which will ramp up to 10% at 40 major airports by Friday if the shutdown continues — to mitigate the strain on staff.
- Flight delays have plagued travelers for weeks because of air traffic control staffing issues, and officials warned that the strain will worsen with holiday travel.
- Nearly 1,700 flights were canceled as of midday Monday with thousands more delayed, per FlightAware.
What they're saying: "This is not politics. This is not ideology," NATCA's Daniels said. "This is the erosion of the safety margin the flying public never sees, but America relies on every single day."
- "The added stress leads to fatigue. The fatigue has led to the erosion of safety and the increased risk every day that this shutdown drags on."
Go deeper: Duffy: Air travel will slow to a "trickle" before Thanksgiving
Editor's note: This story has been updated with details throughout.
