US Airspace at Risk as Government Shutdown Enters Second Month, Says Secretary of Transportation
A dire situation is unfolding in the US transportation sector due to the ongoing government shutdown, with the Secretary of Transportation warning that parts of the airspace might be closed if staffing shortages continue.
The shutdown has led to a shortage of around 2,000 to 3,000 air traffic controllers, forcing them to work without pay. This has resulted in delays and cancellations at airports across the country, with flight disruptions piling up. According to Sean Duffy, US Transportation Secretary, "if you bring us to a week from today, Democrats, you will see mass chaos, mass flight delays, mass cancellations, and you may see us close certain parts of the airspace because we just cannot manage it".
With air traffic controllers unable to report to work due to unpaid wages, flights are experiencing increasingly long delays. On Tuesday alone, over 1,800 flights were delayed, with more than 50 canceled. Newark Liberty International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport saw significant disruptions, with hundreds of flight delays and cancellations reported.
Duffy emphasized that the situation will only worsen if the government shutdown continues. He stated that "the longer this goes on, every day these hardworking Americans have bills they have to pay, they're being forced to make decisions and choices". The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has also warned of longer-than-normal delays in screening at airports due to staffing shortages.
With millions of Americans facing skyrocketing healthcare premiums and deductibles during the open enrollment period, Duffy is urging Democrats to reconsider their position on a partisan spending bill. He stressed that the shutdown's impact on everyday Americans cannot be ignored, as they are forced to make difficult choices between work and paying essential expenses.
The risk to air travel safety has grown significantly due to the staffing shortages, with Duffy stating that "there is more risk in the system". The situation remains dire, and it appears that only a swift resolution to the shutdown will prevent further disruptions to air travel.
A dire situation is unfolding in the US transportation sector due to the ongoing government shutdown, with the Secretary of Transportation warning that parts of the airspace might be closed if staffing shortages continue.
The shutdown has led to a shortage of around 2,000 to 3,000 air traffic controllers, forcing them to work without pay. This has resulted in delays and cancellations at airports across the country, with flight disruptions piling up. According to Sean Duffy, US Transportation Secretary, "if you bring us to a week from today, Democrats, you will see mass chaos, mass flight delays, mass cancellations, and you may see us close certain parts of the airspace because we just cannot manage it".
With air traffic controllers unable to report to work due to unpaid wages, flights are experiencing increasingly long delays. On Tuesday alone, over 1,800 flights were delayed, with more than 50 canceled. Newark Liberty International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport saw significant disruptions, with hundreds of flight delays and cancellations reported.
Duffy emphasized that the situation will only worsen if the government shutdown continues. He stated that "the longer this goes on, every day these hardworking Americans have bills they have to pay, they're being forced to make decisions and choices". The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has also warned of longer-than-normal delays in screening at airports due to staffing shortages.
With millions of Americans facing skyrocketing healthcare premiums and deductibles during the open enrollment period, Duffy is urging Democrats to reconsider their position on a partisan spending bill. He stressed that the shutdown's impact on everyday Americans cannot be ignored, as they are forced to make difficult choices between work and paying essential expenses.
The risk to air travel safety has grown significantly due to the staffing shortages, with Duffy stating that "there is more risk in the system". The situation remains dire, and it appears that only a swift resolution to the shutdown will prevent further disruptions to air travel.
this is getting crazy 
flights are already being delayed cuz of unpaid air traffic controllers and now the sec of transportation is saying we might have to close parts of airspace if staff shortages dont get sorted out 
i feel bad for americans who are struggling with bills and work at the same time 
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2k-3k air traffic controllers can't even get paid on time? It's like a recipe for disaster! And what really gets me is that these people are being forced to make choices between work and paying bills. That's insane! How are we supposed to trust the system when our own government can't even take care of its own employees? 
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. We need to find a way to resolve this ASAP and get these air traffic controllers back to work. It's not just about the air travel industry, but also about the safety of millions of Americans who rely on air travel for their daily lives 
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. Can't we all just come together and find a solution that works for everyone? 
This is getting out of hand! Like, what's next? A complete collapse of the whole transportation system? I'm all for negotiating with Congress, but come on, 2k+ air traffic controllers can't be left without pay? That's just cruel 
. How are they supposed to make ends meet while they're trying to keep the skies safe? Duffy is right, this shutdown's gonna get ugly fast 
. We need a solution ASAP before we start seeing mass chaos on our airports! What do you guys think should be done to resolve this situation?
. i get that Duffy's worried but like, doesnt he know how airline industry works? they're already struggling with delays & cancellations as it is... 
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and not just leave people hanging with unpaid wages and delayed flights... it's time for Democrats to get back on track and pass that spending bill already! 
flight delays are already bad enough but if they have to close airspace it's gonna be a nightmare 
Airports are already a mess with all these delays and cancellations, now they're talkin' about closin part of the airspace? Like what even is the point at this point? 
It's like millions of people are losin their minds tryna figure out how to pay bills and healthcare premiums at the same time 
This is straight up chaos 
, Newark airport is a mess rn! i'm startin 2 worry bout flyin b4 the shutdown ends 
I'm all for finding a solution that works for everyone, but come on, let's not compromise on air travel safety 
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. I mean, 2k-3k air traffic controllers not getting paid? that's just wild 
. seriously though, it's getting real when you're talking risk to air travel safety 
I don't think Sean Duffy is exaggerating when he says mass chaos will ensue if the shutdown continues 
. And now Sean Duffy is saying we might have to close parts of the airspace? That's like playing with fire 
... literally.
. It's like they're trying to make us choose between paying bills or flying out of state 
this is just getting too crazy!