Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a stern warning Friday that flight reductions currently disrupting air travel across the nation could double if the government shutdown continues, placing the responsibility squarely on Democratic senators who have thus far refused to reach an agreement on reopening the government.
Speaking to reporters at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Duffy outlined a scenario that could see the Federal Aviation Administration’s current 10 percent reduction in domestic flights escalate to 20 percent if air traffic controllers continue working without pay or leave their posts entirely for second jobs to support their families.
“If this continues, and I have more controllers who decide they cannot come to work, cannot control the airspace, but instead have to take a second job, with that, you might see 10 percent would have been a good number, because we might go to 15 percent or 20 percent,” Duffy stated.
The Transportation Secretary expressed frustration that Senate Democrats plan to leave Washington for the weekend even as thousands of American travelers face canceled and delayed flights. More than 1,200 flights were canceled nationwide on Friday alone, with an additional 16,000 flights delayed. The disruptions stem from FAA-mandated flight reductions at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports, a safety measure implemented due to air traffic controller shortages caused by the shutdown.
“Let’s open the government up, let’s pay our controllers, and reduce the pressure,” Duffy said. “That is not happening. The Senate is actually going home this weekend. As many people here cannot get home, the Senate goes home. They should be here every day, every weekend, every week trying to find a deal, so we can open the government back up.”
Duffy directed his criticism specifically at Democratic senators, noting that they have voted against government funding measures 14 times. He encouraged frustrated travelers to contact their Democratic senators directly about the ongoing impasse.
“I am getting sniped at by some Democrats,” Duffy added. “I do not like it. I did not put us in this situation. They did.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated Friday that he would likely keep the Senate in session over the weekend as Republicans push their Democratic colleagues toward agreement on a short-term spending bill. Thune suggested the Senate would vote on another stopgap measure over the weekend.
The flight reductions were announced Wednesday by Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford as a necessary safety precaution. Without adequate staffing of air traffic controllers, the FAA determined that reducing flight volumes represented the most responsible approach to maintaining aviation safety standards.
The timing of the disruptions has amplified concerns among the traveling public, as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches. Thanksgiving weekend traditionally represents the busiest travel period of the year, and the prospect of continued or worsening flight reductions has left many Americans uncertain about their holiday plans.
The current situation places air traffic controllers in an untenable position, requiring them to perform critical safety functions without compensation while the political standoff continues. The controllers’ dilemma underscores the broader impact of the shutdown on essential government services and the Americans who depend on them.
As the shutdown enters another day without resolution, the pressure mounts on both parties to find common ground, with the American traveling public bearing the immediate consequences of congressional inaction.
Related: Government Shutdown Forces Flight Cancellations at 40 Major Airports Nationwide
