Overview

• DOT’s shutdown plan says the FAA furloughed 11,322 of 44,829 employees, with about 33,000 still on duty including more than 13,000 controllers who will largely work without pay.
• NATCA President Nick Daniels says the system is short roughly 3,800 controllers, with only 10,800 operating a system that needs 14,633, and the shutdown is adding stress and uncertainty.
• The PASS union reports 60% of its members are working without pay and says halted technician training will set back workforce development.
• Air traffic services continue and the FAA Academy, medical certification and aircraft registry remain open, while certification work, new rulemaking and many safety initiatives are paused; the agency can still use $12.5 billion for modernization.
• Airlines for America, AOPA and a coalition of airports, manufacturers and labor groups urged Congress to restore funding, warning of growing delays, efficiency losses and degraded safety margins.