Controller Resignations ‘Growing by the Day,’ Union Says

‘Four to five’ have bowed out so far.

Ryan Ewing

Monday, November 10, 2025 at 12:06 PM ET

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Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport [Credit: Mark Stebnicki/Pexels]

Key Takeaways:

The ongoing federal government shutdown is causing an increase in resignations and absenteeism among U.S. air traffic controllers, exacerbating an existing shortfall of 3,800 certified professionals.
Controllers are experiencing significant financial stress due to lack of pay, making it difficult to maintain the high level of focus required for their job, and leading to a sharp rise in daily retirements.
This situation, which has contributed to thousands of flight cancellations and delays, is prompting NATCA to urge Congress to immediately end the shutdown and compensate workers, warning of long-term negative impacts on controller hiring and retention.

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The head of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) sounded the alarm Monday on mounting resignations and absenteeism among U.S. air traffic controllers amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.

In a press conference at the union’s Washington, D.C., headquarters, NATCA president Nick Daniels said only a handful of controllers had formally resigned so far—“four to five that had already resigned and growing by the day.” According to Daniels, the full tally of controllers leaving via retirement or early exit due to the shutdown remains unknown.