An individual rides an electrical scooter past the air traffic control tower at Reagan Washington National Airport because the U.S. government shutdown continues in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., Oct. 8, 2025.
Nathan Howard | Reuters
U.S. air traffic controllers Tuesday missed their first full paychecks for the reason that government shutdown began in the beginning of the month, while the Department of Transportation said flight delays on account of staffing shortages have increased.
The controllers are facing increased financial stress and it’s getting harder to recruit much-needed employees, union officials and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Tuesday. Air traffic controllers and airport security screeners are amongst the workers required to work throughout the shutdown as essential employees, despite the fact that they don’t seem to be getting regular paychecks.
“The issues are mounting each day,” said Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, at a news conference at Recent York’s LaGuardia Airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration warned about staffing shortages at airports serving Philadelphia, Denver and airspace over a big swath of the Western U.S. that would disrupt flights on Tuesday.
Duffy told reporters that 44% of the flight delays on Sunday, and about 24% of them on Monday, were on account of air traffic controller staffing, compared with around 5% of the delays thus far this yr.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy holds a press conference on the impact of the federal government shutdown on air travel, at LaGuardia Airport within the Queens borough of Recent York City, U.S., October 28, 2025.
Shannon Stapleton | Reuters
Duffy also said that the shutdown is hurting government air traffic training and recruiting, and that some funds for trainee stipends are “about to expire.”
Air traffic controller union officials have said that some members have been driving for ride-hailing platforms and taking other jobs to make ends meet.
Members of the union, including its president, plan handy out leaflets and speak to the general public at several airports across the U.S. on Tuesday, urging travelers to push Congress to finish the shutdown.
The federal government shutdown, entering its fourth week, has added to concerns about additional strain on the U.S. air traffic control system, which has challenged airlines and travelers alike due to years of understaffing.
Flights earlier this month were delayed at several U.S. airports however the severe disruptions that preceded the tip of the longest-ever shutdown, between late 2018 and early 2019, haven’t occurred.
