US President Donald Trump on Monday demanded that air traffic controllers return to work as travelers endured another day of flight cancellations caused by staffing shortages during the government shutdown as ordered by the administration.
Trump’s comment came after the US aviation system suffered severe disruptions in recent days as air traffic controllers’ absences increased while they worked without pay. Some are absent because they need to work other jobs or can’t afford child care.
An airline trade group reported that 1.2 million customers had flights delayed or canceled on Saturday and Sunday due to problems with air traffic control.
Threatening to cut the pay of any controller who did not return to work, Trump said he would reward those who did not take days off during the 41-day shutdown with $10,000 bonuses and would welcome resignations from the rest.
“All air traffic controllers must return to work, NOW! Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially ‘discounted!'” Trump wrote on social media. “REPORT TO WORK IMMEDIATELY.”
Before the shutdown, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was already about 3,500 air traffic controllers short of planned staffing levels. Many had been working mandatory overtime and six-day weeks.
Officials said it was unclear how the White House could deny pay under the controllers’ union contract once the government reopens, as Trump threatened, or how the president would pay the proposed $10,000 bonuses.
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Staffing problems at two dozen airports
There were strong signs that the longest shutdown in U.S. history would end later this week after a compromise to restore federal funding cleared an initial hurdle in the Senate on Sunday night. However, it was unclear when Congress would give final approval or when air operations could return to normal, as the US heads into the busy Thanksgiving travel period.
Between 20% and 40% of air traffic controllers were absent on any given day at the 30 largest U.S. airports during the shutdown, the FAA reported last week.
Despite Trump’s threat on social media, the FAA reported Monday night that it had staffing problems at nearly two dozen air traffic control facilities across the US.
The FAA imposed ground delays or “ground stop” programs due to staffing issues at eight airports, including Houston, New York, Newark, Chicago, Phoenix and Las Vegas, and was slowing flights in Florida. Airlines canceled more than 2,250 flights in the U.S. and delayed more than 8,100 on Monday, according to FlightAware, a flight-tracking website.
On Sunday, 2,950 flights were canceled and nearly 11,200 were delayed, marking the worst day of disruptions since the government shutdown began on Oct. 1.
Shares of major US airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, fell after Trump’s social media post.
Flight cancellations on the rise
The FAA instructed airlines to reduce daily flights by 4% starting last week at 40 major airports. This will rise to 6% on Tuesday and reach 10% on Friday.
Staffing problems worsened over the weekend and the number of understaffed air traffic control centers rose to 81 on Saturday, the peak since the shutdown began on Oct. 1, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Sunday.
Continue reading: Trump demands that air traffic controllers return to work as flight cancellations increase
Duffy has tried to retain controllers who might retire, accelerate hiring and carry out a $12.5 billion overhaul of air traffic control systems.
Asked about Trump’s comments, including the bonus plan, National Air Traffic Controllers Association President Nick Daniels said Monday that controllers would appreciate any recognition.
“We will work with the administration…Air traffic controllers will continue to show up during this closure,” he said.
Trump scolded controllers who have taken time off and called those who have continued to work “GREAT PATRIOTS.”
Rep. Rick Larsen, ranking Democrat on the House committee that oversees the FAA, said the controllers “deserve our thanks and appreciation, not uncontrolled attacks on their patriotism.”
“Simply unacceptable,” says American Airlines executive
The airlines called for quick passage of a bill the U.S. Senate voted to advance Sunday that would reopen the government. It was unclear when Duffy would lift the flight restrictions.
“The government shutdown must end and so must the disruption caused to our customers and federal employees who are forced to work without pay,” said Bob Jordan, CEO of Southwest Airlines.
American Airlines said more than 250,000 of its customers’ flights were canceled or delayed over the weekend. “This is simply unacceptable and everyone deserves better,” the airline’s chief operating officer, David Seymour, told employees.
The FAA reported Sunday night that it also suspended private jet traffic at 12 airports with air traffic control staff shortages, including Chicago O’Hare and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
With information from Reuters
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