U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Monday that the FAA has seen an increase in air traffic controller sick calls as the government shutdown continues.
Speaking during a press conference in Newark, New Jersey, Duffy said the agency is tracking absenteeism at several facilities but stressed that the National Airspace System remains safe.
“So we’re tracking sick calls, sick leave, and have we had a slight pickup in sick calls? Yes,” he said. “And then you’ll see delays that come from that…I wanna see your flight not be late. I don’t want you canceled, but our priorities are safety.”
Controllers are required to work despite the lapse in federal funding, but many will miss their next paycheck. Duffy said that financial strain is weighing heavily on the workforce after speaking to some earlier this week.
“And so now what they think about as they are controlling our airspace is how am I gonna pay my mortgage? How do I make my car payment? I have a couple of kids at home. How do I put food on the table? I’m working six days a week,” he said. “I don’t want them driving Uber …”
The secretary noted that while some facilities have seen localized increases in absences, none have had prolonged staffing issues. When needed, Duffy said, the FAA reduces air traffic flow to ensure safety.
If the agency has additional sick calls, it will reduce the flow consistent with a safe rate, he said.
Duffy was joined by National Air Traffic Controllers Association president Nick Daniels, who said the shutdown’s effects extend beyond daily operations, potentially slowing the training pipeline for new controllers. Duffy laid blame on Democrats for the shutdown, which is entering its second week.
“I want to make sure that [Democratic representatives] Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries know that this is not consequence-free,” he said.
