Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned on Tuesday that if the federal government shutdown continues into next week, the Department of Transportation could be forced to close portions of U.S. airspace. He told reporters the combination of unpaid air traffic controllers and growing absenteeism has reached a point where continued operations could present safety and management challenges. Federal Aviation Administration data cited in reporting show nearly 50% of major air traffic control facilities facing staffing shortages, and about 13,000 controllers currently working without pay. The administration and carriers may have to implement delays, cancellations or targeted airspace closures if staffing does not stabilize.
Key Takeaways
- Sean Duffy said the DOT may close parts of the national airspace if the shutdown persists into next week, citing safety and staffing concerns.
- The FAA reports nearly 50% of all major air traffic control facilities are experiencing staffing shortages, increasing operational strain.
- Roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers are on duty without pay during the shutdown, according to FAA figures included in news reporting.
- The FAA reported that on a recent Friday about 80% of New York area staff had called out, contributing to a ground stop at Newark Liberty International.
- Duffy previously said controllers could be let go if they failed to come to work, but later said he would not fire those who do not show up and emphasized they need pay and support.
- Airport lines and delays have already grown in some hubs; a photo from Nov. 4, 2025, at George Bush Intercontinental Airport underscores rising passenger wait times amid a second month of the shutdown.
Background
The current federal government shutdown entered its second month in early November 2025, affecting multiple departments that provide essential services. The Federal Aviation Administration has kept a reduced but functioning workforce in many roles deemed essential, such as air traffic control, while those employees work without pay. Historically, prolonged funding lapses have produced spiking absenteeism in hours- and wage-sensitive roles, straining safety-critical systems across transportation and security. Airlines and airports coordinate with the FAA to manage traffic flow, but sustained staff shortfalls increase the likelihood of operational limits, including ground stops and selective airspace closures.
Air traffic control is highly interdependent: controllers coordinate flows across facilities, hand off aircraft, and manage sequencing to preserve separation and safety. When one facility is short-staffed, neighboring centers absorb additional workload, which increases complexity and risk. The DOT and FAA have contingency protocols for short-term disruptions, but those plans assume staffing and redundancy that a prolonged shutdown can erode. Labor dynamics are also at play: many controllers face immediate household expenses and must decide whether to continue unpaid work or seek paid employment elsewhere.
Main Event
On Tuesday, Secretary Duffy warned that parts of the national airspace system could be closed if staffing problems continue. He framed the potential move as a safety-driven decision: without sufficient controllers, managing traffic safely across key hubs becomes infeasible. Duffy emphasized rapid deterioration if the shutdown persists, saying that within a week the system could face widespread delays and cancellations. The warning followed a string of staffing incidents, including a high call-out rate in the New York area that prompted operational limits at Newark Liberty International Airport.
The FAA data cited in coverage show nearly half of major air traffic control facilities report shortages, a metric that includes both absences and reduced shift coverage. About 13,000 controllers are currently working without pay, increasing financial pressure on a workforce required to remain on duty. Duffy’s earlier remarks in October suggested firings for no-shows, but he later walked back that stance, telling CBS that controllers should not be fired during the shutdown and need paychecks and support. The administration is balancing enforcement of attendance policies with the political and operational realities of a prolonged funding lapse.
Airlines and airports are continuing to adjust schedules and capacity; some carriers have already announced selective cancellations and warned passengers of longer security lines. Ground stops and ground delays have been used in recent days to limit arrivals to airports where staffing is insufficient, and DOT officials said additional targeted restrictions would be considered only if safety margins shrink further. Operational leaders stress that closing parts of the airspace would be a last-resort measure to prevent systemic safety failures, not a routine policy choice.
Analysis & Implications
Short-term operational effects could include more flight delays, higher cancellation rates and localized ground stops at major hubs, particularly where call-out rates are highest. If staffing shortages broaden beyond isolated facilities, airline schedules nationwide will be harder to maintain, increasing economic costs for carriers, airports and passengers. The ripple effects would also hit freight and business travel, potentially disrupting time-sensitive cargo and corporate itineraries. Airlines may reduce schedules preemptively to avoid cascading delays, which reduces network efficiency and increases per-flight costs.
From a safety-management perspective, running with understaffed towers or centers raises the cognitive and procedural load on controllers who must cover multiple positions or take longer shifts. That workload can increase the likelihood of human error even if no incident occurs; regulators and unions have historically flagged fatigue and overload as critical safety concerns. The DOT’s public statements aim to signal seriousness and press for a political resolution while also preparing industry partners for contingency operations. Political accountability will likely focus on the timing and terms of any funding agreement that restores pay and staffing stability.
Longer-term, repeated shutdown-driven disruptions could erode recruitment and retention in the air traffic workforce, as prospective hires weigh job security and compensation stability. If new hires slow or current staff leave for more stable employment, the FAA could face an extended period of understaffing that outlasts the immediate funding lapse. Policymakers must weigh short-term budget negotiations against durable impacts on infrastructure resilience, supply chains and public confidence in air travel safety and reliability.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | Reported Value |
|---|---|
| Major ATC facilities with staffing shortages | Nearly 50% |
| Air traffic controllers working without pay | About 13,000 |
| New York area staff call-out rate (recent Friday) | 80% |
The table shows the scale of reported shortages. Nearly half of major facilities listing shortages signals widespread strain rather than isolated incidents, while 13,000 unpaid controllers represents a significant portion of the total U.S. controller workforce. An 80% call-out rate in the New York area is acute and drove immediate ground stops at Newark. These numbers help explain why DOT officials are discussing targeted airspace limits as an operational contingency.
Reactions & Quotes
DOT Secretary Sean Duffy framed the threat as a safety-driven step, warning that absent staff could force operational limits. He repeated that the department’s priority is preventing unsafe conditions while urging a political resolution to restore paid staffing. The quote below captures his stark warning on the potential consequences if conditions do not improve quickly.
If we are pushed another week without a funding solution, you will see mass delays, cancellations and possible closures of some airspace to keep people safe.
Sean Duffy, U.S. Secretary of Transportation
Duffy also clarified his stance on employment actions toward controllers, signaling a shift from earlier remarks. After suggesting firings for those who did not come to work in October, he later told national television that firing absent controllers during the shutdown would be inappropriate. His later comments emphasize support and the need to restore pay as the immediate remedy.
They need support, they need money, they need a paycheck. They don’t need to be fired.
Sean Duffy (on CBS’ Face the Nation)
The FAA has reported staffing metrics to Congress and the public, and airlines are responding operationally. Industry groups have urged a swift resolution to avoid broader service disruptions and economic losses, while some airport officials have documented growing passenger wait times at major hubs.
Unconfirmed
- There is no independent public evidence yet that the DOT will enact full national airspace closures next week; Duffy described the action as a possible contingency if conditions worsen.
- Specific thresholds (exact staffing levels or facility lists) that would trigger closures have not been publicly released by DOT or FAA as of the latest reporting.
Bottom Line
The DOT’s statement reflects a credible operational concern: sustained, unpaid staffing shortages among air traffic controllers can force safety-driven limits on air operations. Current FAA-reported figures — nearly 50% of major facilities with shortages and roughly 13,000 controllers working without pay — explain why officials are preparing for contingencies like ground stops and targeted airspace restrictions. For travelers and shippers, the immediate consequence would likely be more delays and cancellations concentrated at the busiest hubs unless funding restores normal attendance.
Resolving the shutdown quickly would reduce the risk of targeted airspace closures and limit longer-term damage to the aviation workforce. Policymakers must weigh the near-term fiscal standoff against potential, lasting impacts on recruitment, retention and public confidence in air travel reliability. For now, industry partners should plan for continued schedule volatility while officials seek a funding resolution.
Sources
- ABC News (media report summarizing DOT & FAA statements)
- Federal Aviation Administration (official agency website and staffing reports)
- U.S. Department of Transportation (official agency site)