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8h ago

Duffy Threatens to Fire No‑Show Controllers as Shutdown Drives Flight Delays

Unpaid essential staffing exposes a chronic controller shortage.

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
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Overview

  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said roughly 53% of recent U.S. flight delays are now tied to controller staffing, up from a typical 5%.
  • Reuters reported more than 19,000 flight delays since Monday as the FAA slows traffic due to absences, with about 13,000 controllers required to work without pay.
  • Duffy warned repeat no‑shows could be dismissed, while the controllers’ union urged members to keep working and noted job actions are illegal.
  • Localized shortfalls disrupted operations this week, including a temporary tower closure at Hollywood Burbank and delays at hubs such as Nashville, Denver, Newark and DCA.
  • The administration began airing a DHS video in airports blaming Democrats for the shutdown, as industry groups warn of about $1 billion in weekly travel losses if the impasse continues.