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 air traffic control (ATC) staffing levels were already critical before the crisis. Around 13.000 air traffic controllers and 50.000 TSA employees 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 cost the entire aviation industry one billion US dollars per week .
Staff shortages exacerbate operational safety concerns.
The ongoing government shutdown has significantly exacerbated the already strained staffing situation in air traffic control. Many air traffic control centers have been operating for years with staffing levels below target. The lack of pay is now depleting employees' financial reserves, leading to an increasing number of sick leaves and unpaid time off.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized the social disparities within the workforce: While older, established air traffic controllers might be able to absorb the situation due to their long-term planning, many new and trainee controllers depend on their regular paychecks. This lower-income group is unable to shoulder the financial burden of working without pay.
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) reported that its members are forced to work six days of mandatory overtime per week to ensure safety in American airspace – all without pay. NATCA President Nick Daniels criticized this situation as unacceptable and emphasized that air traffic controllers bear the entire burden for the safety and efficiency of the airspace.
Increasing risk in air traffic
Although Transport Minister Duffy assures that air traffic is "safe for now ," there are increasing signs of a deterioration in operational safety. The shortage of replacement staff and the resulting employee exhaustion threaten to turn an already tense situation into an acute safety risk.
The effects of the shutdown are already noticeable in the operational figures: a sharp increase in flight cancellations and delays has been recorded. On a single day (last Thursday) alone, over 1.200 flights were cancelled and around 7.250 flights were delayed.
Even more worrying is the increase in so-called "near misses ," critical incidents attributed to air traffic control errors. A recent example occurred in Boston when air traffic controllers mistakenly cleared two aircraft, a Delta A330neo and a Cape Air plane, to simultaneously use intersecting runways . Only the swift intervention of the controllers and the instruction to the Delta aircraft to abort the landing and go around prevented a potential catastrophe. House representatives, such as John James (R-MI), emphasize that the shutdown "puts America's safety and security at risk . "
Cross-party support for the rescue package
Amid the escalating crisis, Bill S.3031, introduced by Republican Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), is rapidly gaining bipartisan support . The legislation aims to guarantee the payment of salaries for ATC, FAA, and TSA personnel, either until the passage of the relevant budget legislation or until the end of fiscal year on September 30, 2026.
The initiative is backed by prominent co-sponsors from the Senate (including Markwayne Mullin, James Lankford, and Dan Sullivan) and 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 an urgent meeting with leading airline executives to discuss temporary financing options. The industry association Airlines for America (A4A) has clearly outlined the economic costs of the shutdown , further increasing political pressure for the swift passage of the bill. This broad support demonstrates bipartisan recognition of the critical importance of the air transportation system to the national infrastructure and economy of the United States.