In light of a five-week-long government shutdown in the United States, which has left tens of thousands of essential air traffic workers without pay, the Senate has introduced a crisis management bill. The bill, known as “Keep America Flying Act of 2026” The proposal (Senate Bill p.3031) aims to ensure that air traffic controllers, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) personnel, and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security personnel continue to receive their salaries during the shutdown and are guaranteed back-pay.
The shutdown has put massive pressure on the American aviation industry, especially since the staffing levels of air traffic control (ATC) personnel were already critical before the crisis. Around 13.000 air traffic controllers and 50.000 TSA employees They are forced to perform their critical safety duties without regular pay. The result is a sharp increase in absenteeism, which seriously threatens the operational stability of air traffic. Industry representatives warn that the standstill could affect the entire aviation industry. one billion US dollars per week It could cost.
Staff shortages exacerbate operational safety concerns.
The ongoing government shutdown has already strained staffing situation The situation in air traffic control has worsened considerably. Many air traffic control centers have been operating for years with staffing levels below target. The resulting lack of pay is now depleting employees' financial reserves, leading to a situation where... increasing number of sick leave and unpaid leave .
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized the social disparities within the workforce: While older, established air traffic controllers might still be able to cope with the situation due to their long-term planning, many new and still in training air traffic controllers They depend on their regular salary payments. This lower-income group is unable to shoulder the financial burden of unpaid work.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) reported that its members were forced to six days a week mandatory overtime to perform these duties to ensure safety in American airspace – all without pay. NATCA President Nick Daniels criticized this situation as unacceptable and emphasized that air traffic controllers are the entire load for the safety and efficiency of the airspace.
Increasing risk in air traffic
Although Transport Minister Duffy assures that flight operations "safe for now" While there are increasing signs of a deterioration in operational safety, the lack of replacement personnel and the resulting staff exhaustion threaten to exacerbate an already tense situation. acute safety risk close.
The effects of the shutdown are already noticeable in the operational figures: a sharp increase in flight cancellations and delays has been recorded. On just one day (last Thursday), Over 1.200 flights cancelled and round 7.250 flights delayed settled.
Even more worrying is the increase in so-called "Near-Misses", also critical incidents that are attributed to errors in air traffic control. A recent example occurred in Boston when air traffic controllers mistakenly directed two aircraft, a Delta A330neo and a Cape Air plane, to simultaneous use of intersecting runways Releases. Only through the swift intervention and the instruction to the Delta aircraft to abort the landing was a potential catastrophe averted. Representatives of the House of Representatives, such as John James (R-MI), emphasize that the shutdown "which puts America's safety and security at risk".
Cross-party support for the rescue package
In light of the escalating crisis, the bill S.3031, introduced by Republican Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), is rapidly gaining traction. cross-party supportThe aim of the legislation is to ensure the payment of salaries for ATC, FAA and TSA personnel, either until the passage of the relevant budget laws or until the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2026.
The initiative is supported by prominent co-sponsors from the Senate (including Markwayne Mullin, James Lankford, and Dan Sullivan) and by a parallel bill in the House of Representatives led by John James (R-MI). Solutions are also being sought at the highest levels of government. US Vice President JD Vance convened a urgent meeting with leading airline managers one, to discuss temporary financing options. The industry association Airlines for America (A4A) has the economic costs of the standstill This clearly states the key points, further increasing the political pressure for the swift passage of the bill. The broad support demonstrates the cross-party recognition of the... critical importance of the air transportation system for the national infrastructure and economy of the United States.