Escalating Government Shutdown Sparks Surge in Air Traffic Controller Resignations, Warns NATCA Chief

The president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association has highlighted a troubling trend: the ongoing government shutdown is prompting more air traffic controllers to resign from their positions.

“This is a new development. We have fewer controllers now than we did in 2019,” Nick Daniels explained during a Monday interview with Chris Cuomo.

“Following the 35-day shutdown, things have changed significantly,” Daniels continued. “Combine that with unreliable equipment and the fact that people are leaving to pursue other jobs instead of staying in this once-great career. This trend is expected to worsen, as Secretary Duffy mentioned.”

U.S. airports are feeling the impact of the government shutdown.

The airline industry is bearing the brunt of this political stalemate between Democrats and Republicans, leading to a shortage of air traffic controllers. This shortage is causing significant flight delays and cancellations at numerous major airports across the United States.

For instance, on Sunday, Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey faced delays ranging from two to three hours. Similarly, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas reported ground delays averaging 40 minutes.

Planes clipping each other, near misses, but disasters avoided

The shortage of controllers has also led to planes clipping each other. There have been several near misses by aircraft.

“The reasons that you hear of a ‘near’ incident or a ‘near’ miss are because they’re taking action and ensuring that these aircraft in no way hit or are in any kind of danger,” Daniels said.

“We’ve dealt with incidents every day in the system. Like at LaGuardia, we weren’t even talking to those aircraft. But when they go back and look at tapes, there are places that we can improve, things that we learn from.”

Concern over faulty equipment ‘growing’: Daniels

Along with the shortage, concerns have been raised with Daniels about the outdated equipment and system for controllers to use.

“It’s real and it’s growing,” he said. “And that’s why Secretary Duffy, myself, we share the same vision. We’ve been working with Administrator (Bryan) Bedford to actually move this system forward for once and make the true investment that was needed.”

Daniels said Congress has shown its support for the profession, but the investment — $12.5B — is far beneath what is needed to bring the system up to standards.

“This is what air traffic controllers have been saying time and time again for over a year,” Daniels said. “Our union specifically has been advocating for a decade for fixes to staffing and fixes to equipment.”

Escalating Government Shutdown Sparks Surge in Air Traffic Controller Resignations, Warns NATCA Chief

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Escalating Government Shutdown Sparks Surge in Air Traffic Controller Resignations, Warns NATCA Chief

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