A Nation’s Aviation System Under Strain
WASHINGTON – In a dramatic escalation of the crisis caused by the longest government shutdown in US history, President Donald Trump has issued a severe directive aimed at restoring order to the nation’s crippled air travel system. The shutdown has led to the cancellation and delay of thousands of flights nationwide, putting immense pressure on air traffic operations. President Trump has ordered all Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) to immediately return to their posts, warning that those who fail to comply will face pay cuts.
In a statement posted on social media, Trump took an uncompromising stance: “All Air Traffic Controllers return to work immediately; those who don’t will have their salaries reduced.” He further announced that employees who worked consistently throughout the 41-day shutdown would receive a $10,000 bonus, while the resignations of those who remained absent would be accepted. This measure places extraordinary pressure on federal employees caught in the political impasse.
Travel Chaos and Economic Fallout
The shutdown has forced approximately 13,000 ATCs and 50,000 Transportation Security Agents to work without pay. The severity of the travel disruption was highlighted on Monday when over 2,000 flights were cancelled and more than 5,000 were delayed, affecting millions of travelers. The situation was further compounded by a massive snowstorm in Chicago.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), absenteeism rates are high, with 20 to 40 percent of staff missing at several of the nation’s 30 largest airports, fundamentally weakening the aviation infrastructure.
In response, major airlines have labeled the situation “unacceptable.” The CEO of American Airlines publicly appealed to the government to swiftly implement the Senate-approved bill to end the shutdown, emphasizing that “passengers and employees deserve better services.”
The economic fallout was immediately visible: following President Trump’s statement, shares of US airlines recorded a decline, underscoring the severe financial repercussions of the ongoing crisis.
