Air traffic controllers across the U.S. are no longer being paid due to the ongoing government shutdown in Washington, D.C., that is now in its 23rd day.
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U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has acknowledged that 13,000 air traffic controllers and approximately 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are now working without pay due to the ongoing government shutdown.
Duffy warned that flight disruptions and delays could worsen across the U.S. in coming days as the government shutdown drags on with no end in sight and air traffic controllers and TSA officers miss their first full paychecks this week.
Problem for Airlines
Transportation Secretary Duffy previously said that air traffic control absences have been responsible for 53% of flight delays since the government shutdown began three weeks ago, a significant increase from the normal rate of 5%.
Air traffic controller absences are expected to worsen now that they are no longer receiving their regular pay, warned Duffy. The government shutdown is putting increasing pressure on the U.S. air transportation system as essential personnel work without compensation. The situation is causing headaches for U.S. airlines such as American (AAL), Delta (DAL) and United (UAL).
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