As the government shutdown enters its 28th day, airlines are stepping up to support air traffic controllers and other federal aviation workers who have missed their first full paycheck. This situation has prompted significant concern among aviation personnel, as financial pressures mount.
United Airlines announced its initiative to aid these essential workers, stating, “United is donating meals for air traffic controllers and other federal workers whose pay is delayed. We appreciate the hardworking federal employees who are keeping the air travel system running.” The airline is providing meals at its hubs nationwide, including in major cities such as Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.
Delta Air Lines is also contributing by arranging a limited number of meals for transportation sector workers, adhering to the regulations set for federal employees. Meanwhile, JetBlue is collaborating with federal partners, including the Transportation Security Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, to distribute meals at various airports as a gesture of solidarity.
At LaGuardia Airport in New York, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy addressed the financial hardships faced by air traffic controllers. He acknowledged that the situation intensifies each day without pay, making it increasingly difficult for federal workers to manage their expenses. Reports indicate that controllers are calling in sick at higher rates, as some seek additional income through side jobs with companies like Uber or DoorDash just to make ends meet.
National Air Traffic Controllers Association President Nick Daniels echoed these concerns, emphasizing the critical and focused nature of the job. He shared distressing accounts from controllers who are struggling to afford necessary medical care for their families, highlighting the delicate balance they must maintain while ensuring the safety of air traffic.
Data shared by Duffy illustrates the impact of personnel shortages on air travel, with air traffic controller shortages causing 5% of flight delays this year alone. Recent statistics revealed that such shortages were responsible for nearly half of the 8,700 flight delays noted on a Sunday and accounted for 24% of delays on the following Monday.
In a show of unity, controllers planned to gather at 17 airports nationwide to distribute leaflets advocating for an end to the shutdown, a move highlighting the urgency of their plight. Controller Joe Segretto stressed the weight of the financial strain on staff tasked with keeping air travel safe during this turbulent time.
In these challenging circumstances, the support from airlines reflects a community’s resilience and commitment to each other, reinforcing the vital role these workers play in keeping the aviation system operational.