An airplane takes off from Teterboro Airport, NJ
© Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(Queens, NY) – Millions of Americans are feeling the impact as the government shutdown stretches to the four-week mark. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy spoke at New York’s LaGuardia Airport as air traffic controllers missed their first full paycheck today, praising them for their professionalism.
Air traffic controllers are required to work without pay as the government shutdown continues. Controllers had been receiving partial paychecks to this point. Duffy addressed safety concerns and flight delays due to air traffic control staffing issues, saying it remains safe to fly, and if staffing levels drop, it will lead to delays and possible flight cancellations.
Officials say it’s the younger, newer air traffic controllers, the very ones being recruited to make up for previous staffing shortages, who are least equipped to wait out a government shutdown without a paycheck. Many have taken second jobs to fill the gap.
According to the transportation secretary, this past Sunday, 44% of flight delays were associated with staffing shortages, and 24% on Monday.
