US transportation chief 'concerned' air traffic controllers may not return immediately when government reopens

ISTANBUL

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed concern Tuesday that air traffic controllers may not immediately return to work when the government reopens, potentially affecting travel for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Speaking to reporters, Duffy said the Trump administration is at the cusp of reopening the government but worries about day-one staffing. "I'm concerned that we're not going to have on day one, controllers come back into the towers right away," he said.

The US Senate passed legislation Monday to end the longest-ever government shutdown, which is now in its 42nd day, and sent the bill to the House of Representatives for final approval.

Duffy asked controllers to return to duty and said they will be paid, though the timeline remains uncertain.

Asked if delays are expected for Thanksgiving travel, Duffy said the timing depends on how quickly controllers return to work. "So, it depends on how are we going to have air traffic controllers come into work, and if we have the controllers showing up," he said.

Duffy emphasized safety above on-time performance, noting the primary concern is ensuring safe travel rather than avoiding delays or cancellations.

Regarding air traffic controllers who called in sick during the shutdown, Duffy acknowledged the difficult position of young controllers with families who are not making much money early in their careers.

He suggested the situation requires careful analysis rather than immediate punishment and said the ones who showed up should be rewarded instead, as US President Donald Trump suggested.

Trump urged air traffic controllers to return to work immediately on Monday during the shutdown or have their pay “docked”. He said he would recommend "$10,000 per person for distinguished service to our country."

Duffy's comments come amid severe air traffic disruptions, with more than 1,600 flights canceled and more than 11,727 delayed Tuesday, with similar numbers in the previous days, according to FlightAware.

The shutdown began Oct. 1 after a breakdown in negotiations on federal spending priorities. Thousands of federal workers have since been furloughed, working without pay, while government services have been curtailed or suspended.