The ongoing government shutdown is pushing some air traffic controllers to their breaking point.
After 38 days without pay, the stress and exhaustion have become too much for many, leading to a wave of resignations that’s worsening an already strained system.
Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, told CNN that some members are walking away from their jobs entirely. “We’re seeing air traffic controllers resign,” Daniels said. “We didn’t see that in 2019. We’re 400 fewer controllers today than we were during the 2019 shutdown.”
Daniels explained that the current staffing levels were already dangerously low before the shutdown, and the pressure has only intensified. “They’ve been stretched so thin for so long, with so much pressure on their backs, that they’re actually resigning from the profession,” he said. He added that ending the shutdown isn’t just about reopening government operations, it’s about saving the controllers who are still hanging on.
The Transportation Department, which oversees the Federal Aviation Administration, confirmed that the agency has seen more controllers calling out sick. To manage the growing stress and workload, air traffic has been slowed down at about 40 airports across the country.
While the FAA says it’s about maintaining safety, Democrats argue it’s a political move to pressure them into ending the shutdown.
Hundreds of flights were canceled on Friday alone as the impact spread across the nation’s airports. An automated email from the FAA confirmed it was not responding to media questions during the shutdown, stating that “increased staffing shortages across the system” have forced them to reduce traffic at certain airports “to ensure safe operations.”
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged the strain, speaking to reporters at Reagan National Airport in Virginia. He said most controllers are still showing up, but a growing number are reaching their limits.
“Let’s not lie about the pressure,” he admitted. “The ones who do come to work are putting in six days a week, 10-hour days. You can do that for a while, but eventually, you burn out — and that’s what we’re seeing.”
Despite speculation about organized “sickouts,” Daniels clarified that controllers aren’t faking illness to protest. “People aren’t calling in sick. They’re either fit for duty or they’re not,” he said, emphasizing that fatigue and mental strain are real concerns.
The financial burden has also become unbearable for many. “Especially our new employees who are still in training,” Daniels shared. “They’re calling their employer saying, ‘I have no gas today. I can’t pay for child care. Can I bring my children to work?’” He added that many are maxing out credit cards and taking out loans just to survive.
As the shutdown continues with no resolution in sight, the crisis among air traffic controllers highlights a growing risk, not only to the nation’s air system but to the mental health and stability of the people responsible for keeping the skies safe.
