Trump Warns Air Traffic Controllers to Return to Work as Flight Disruptions Escalate During Shutdown
US President Donald Trump on Monday issued a stern warning to air traffic controllers to return to work amid mounting nationwide flight cancellations linked to the prolonged government shutdown.
The aviation system has come under severe strain in recent days as thousands of controllers continue working without pay, forcing some to take leave to seek additional jobs or manage childcare. Airlines reported that more than 1.2 million passengers experienced delays or cancellations over the weekend due to staffing shortages.
Trump said controllers who continue working through the shutdown would be rewarded with $10,000 bonuses, while those who remain absent could see their pay curtailed. “All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW. Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially ‘docked’,” he wrote on social media, urging staff to “REPORT TO WORK IMMEDIATELY.”
However, aviation officials noted that it remains unclear whether the administration can legally withhold pay once the government reopens, or how the proposed bonuses would be funded. “I’ll get it from someplace,” Trump told Fox News.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was already short about 3,500 controllers before the shutdown and has been relying on mandatory overtime to maintain operations. During the shutdown, between 20% and 40% of controllers have been absent daily at the 30 largest US airports.
The FAA confirmed staffing shortages at nearly two dozen control facilities on Monday, prompting ground delays and flight restrictions at major airports, including Chicago, Houston, New York, Newark, San Francisco, Phoenix and Las Vegas. According to FlightAware, more than 2,380 flights were cancelled and 8,900 delayed on Monday alone.
Airline executives warned that disruptions could worsen as the holiday travel period approaches. The FAA has already ordered airlines to reduce daily flight schedules by up to 10% at 40 major airports starting Friday.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said efforts are underway to retain controllers nearing retirement and to accelerate hiring and modernization of air traffic systems. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association said its members will continue reporting to duty but welcomed any steps to acknowledge their service.
Lawmakers expressed concern over Trump’s remarks, with Representative Rick Larsen saying controllers “deserve our thanks and appreciation, not unhinged attacks.”
Hopes for an end to the shutdown rose late Monday after the Senate advanced a compromise bill to reopen the government, though it remained unclear when final approval would come — or how quickly normal airline operations could resume.
Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan urged lawmakers to act swiftly. “This shutdown must end, and so must the disruption to our customers and the federal employees forced to work without pay,” he said.
