Flight cancellations in the United States climbed sharply on Monday, with more than 2,300 flights scrapped as President Donald Trump threatened to withhold pay from air traffic controllers calling in sick amid the ongoing government shutdown.
After Trump accused absent aviation workers of being unpatriotic, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association praised members working without pay as “unsung heroes” and urged Congress to end the shutdown immediately.
“Enough is enough,” the union said in a statement.
The standoff underscored growing tension in the aviation sector as the record-breaking shutdown entered its 41st day. A potential compromise bill advancing in Congress, however, offered cautious optimism that a deal might be reached soon.
The air traffic control system, already struggling with chronic understaffing before the shutdown, faced further strain amid a rise in holiday travel ahead of Thanksgiving. According to flight tracker FlightAware, in addition to Monday’s cancellations, more than 8,700 flights were delayed, while airlines had pre-emptively cancelled another 1,100 flights scheduled for Tuesday.
Last week, the Trump administration ordered a 10 percent reduction in flights at several major airports due to “staffing triggers.”
Taking to his Truth Social platform on Monday, Trump warned that controllers who failed to return to work “will be substantially ‘docked.’”
“All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!!” he posted.
The former president added that he was recommending a $10,000 bonus for “GREAT PATRIOTS” who continued working through the shutdown.
His comments came just as NATCA concluded a press conference marking the second consecutive missed paycheck for its members.
Union president Nick Daniels described a developing congressional deal as “a right step in the right direction.”
“Air traffic controllers should not be the political pawn during a government shutdown,” Daniels said, expressing frustration over the prolonged funding lapse since October 1.
Following Trump’s online threats, the union released another statement defending its members.
“This nation’s air traffic controllers have been working without pay for over 40 days,” NATCA said. “The vast majority of these highly trained and skilled professionals continue to perform one of the most stressful and demanding jobs in the world, despite not being compensated. Many are working six-day weeks and ten-hour days without any pay.”
Democratic congressman Rick Larsen criticised Trump’s remarks, calling them “nuts.”
“The women and men working long hours in air traffic control towers to keep the aviation system running deserve our thanks and appreciation, not unhinged attacks on their patriotism,” said Larsen, who represents Washington state.
Later that day, in a phone interview with Fox News, Trump reaffirmed his bonus proposal but admitted uncertainty about funding it.
“I don’t know. I’ll get it from someplace…I always get the money from someplace,” Trump said. “Regardless, it doesn’t matter.”
Prospects for reopening the government appeared to improve as enough Senate Democrats joined Republicans to pass a short-term funding bill that would extend operations through January.
Still, Daniels cautioned that recovery could take time, recalling that after the 2019 shutdown, controllers waited over two months for full back pay.
“January 30 will loom around the corner,” he added, warning of renewed uncertainty once the temporary funding expires.
At the press event, Daniels was joined by Amy Lark, an air traffic controller in Virginia whose family has missed two paychecks because her husband also works for the agency.
“Yesterday, my kids asked me how long we could stay in our house. Having to answer that question was heartbreaking,” Lark said.
Travellers, meanwhile, struggled with widespread delays and cancellations.
“It’s a little crazy this morning,” said Jack Nicks, a passenger at Miami International Airport. “I have other friends who are flying today. They’ve already had three flight changes. So it’s a little rough.”
