Particle.news
Download on the App Store
55 ARTICLES
·
4h ago

Duffy Threatens Firings as Controller No‑Shows Fuel Shutdown Flight Delays

Safety slowdowns driven by a long‑running controller shortfall magnify the shutdown strain.

In an extraordinary effort to inject politics into millions of Americans’ travel experiences, the Trump administration plans to roll out a video at airports across the United States that will blame Democrats for lapses in Transportation Security Administration workers’ pay because of the government shutdown.
It ‘doesn’t take long before the system slows down’
Construction crews work near the air traffic control tower at Reagan Washington National Airport as the U.S. government shutdown continues in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., October 8, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard
Image

Overview

  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said staffing now accounts for 53% of delays versus about 5% historically and warned repeat no‑shows will be dismissed.
  • Since Monday, at least 19,000 U.S. flights have been delayed, including thousands on Thursday, as the FAA slows traffic to preserve safety.
  • Towers and centers have reported shortages this week, with a multi‑hour unstaffed period at Hollywood Burbank and delays at Denver, Reagan National, Newark, Chicago and Nashville.
  • Roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA officers are required to work without pay during the shutdown, with a partial paycheck due next week for pre‑shutdown hours.
  • The White House began airing an airport video blaming Democrats for the funding lapse, while unions urged controllers to keep working and avoid illegal job actions.