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The United States Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, warned this Tuesday that the country may be forced to close part of its airspace if the federal government shutdown — the longest in recent history — continues for another week.
“You will see massive chaos, widespread delays, and flight cancellations if this continues,” Duffy warned at a press conference held in Philadelphia, where he noted that the Department of Transportation is considering temporary restrictions due to a lack of personnel in the air traffic control system.
For more than a month, 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 security agents (TSA) have been working without pay due to the budget impasse that has frozen federal funds.
According to CBS News, although their work is considered "essential," many workers have begun to report sick or take leave, resulting in delays and congestion at airports.
"We will restrict airspace when we believe it is not safe," said Duffy, who acknowledged that the number of available air traffic controllers has decreased by as much as 40% at major airports across the country, such as New York, Chicago, and Atlanta.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that at some airports, such as LaGuardia and Newark, up to 80% of air traffic controllers did not report for work last Friday, forcing a reduction in air traffic and the cancellation of hundreds of flights.
The secretary expressed his concern about the emotional and economic impact on workers: “These Americans have bills to pay. They are choosing between buying medicine or feeding their children while ensuring the safety of millions of passengers. Each passing day, the problem worsens.”
On his part, the president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), Nick Daniels, warned about the "extreme pressure" that professionals in the sector are experiencing and called on Congress for an immediate solution.
“Our members must be 100% focused at all times. They cannot do so with the uncertainty of not knowing whether they will be able to pay the rent or their children’s medication,” he stated.
The government shutdown, which began on October 1, is a result of the deadlock between Republicans and Democrats over the fiscal budget for 2026. The White House, led by President Donald Trump, blames the Democrats for blocking the proposed spending cuts, while the opposition accuses Trump of using the crisis as a political tactic.
If the closure continues, experts warn that air chaos could turn into a national crisis, affecting not only travelers but also the economy and security of the country.
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