Appearing with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who made his daily sojourn to speak to reporters and blame Democrats for the government shutdown, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned travelers that he can’t guarantee what will happen next week.
With no end in sight for the shutdown coming to an end, despite Republican control of the White House and both chambers of Congress, Duffy stated that next week, already-stressed air traffic controllers will not get paid as normal and there is no telling how that would impact flight schedules.
As Axios is reporting, with the House GOP leadership standing around him, Duffy admitted, “I can't guarantee you that your flight is going to be on time. I can't guarantee you that your flight's not going to be canceled."
"It's going to depend on our air traffic controllers coming in to work every single day,” he added, while noting the Oct. 28 payday will not happen.
"Safety is paramount for us, and so if we don't have the staffing levels in a tower, TRACON or center, you will see us delay traffic," Duffy warned. "You will see us cancel flights."
According to Avery Lotz and Alex Fitzpatrick of Axios, during the last shutdown, also under President Donald Trump, flights were canceled, and the same can be expected on his watch again.
One current air traffic controller who wished to remain anonymous told Axios they believe most will show up next week; however a second missed paycheck “will likely be where people can't last any longer without money coming in.”
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