The United States may be forced to close parts of its airspace if the ongoing federal government shutdown continues, the US transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, has warned. The shutdown, now in its 35th day, has caused severe shortages of air traffic controllers, with up to 3,000 missing from duty and over 11,000 working without pay.
Duffy cautioned of 'mass chaos' within a week if the shutdown persists, including mass flight delays and cancellations. He stated that the system remains safe but acknowledged increased risk due to controller shortages. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that nearly 50% of the US's 30 busiest airports face staffing issues, including major hubs in New York, Newark, Washington, Phoenix and Nashville.
The shutdown has also left 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers without pay, leading to security checkpoint waits of up to five hours at airports such as New York's LaGuardia and JFK. FlightAware data shows 2,565 delays on Tuesday, down from 4,720 on Monday and 5,897 on Sunday.
Political gridlock continues, with Democrats demanding an extension of healthcare tax credits in any agreement. The White House blames Democrats for the disruption, while Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries vows not to support a 'partisan Republican spending bill' that cuts healthcare. UK travellers are advised to check flight status and prepare for potential delays.
