WASHINGTON (7News) — As the U.S. government shutdown drags on, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) is sounding the alarm over staffing shortages, financial strain, and growing safety risks across the nation’s air travel system.
Controllers Say Safety Layers Are “Being Stripped Away”
At Reagan National Airport, air traffic controllers spent Tuesday morning distributing leaflets to travelers, warning that the ongoing shutdown is “straining the nation’s air traffic system.”
NATCA President Nick Daniels told 7News that hundreds of controllers have already started taking second jobs just to make ends meet.
“Air traffic controllers have to have 100% focus 100% of the time,” Daniels said.
“I’m getting messages from controllers saying, ‘I’m running out of money. If my daughter doesn’t get the medicine she needs, she dies. That’s the end.’”
Daniels added that many controllers are now distracted by financial stress instead of focusing entirely on flight safety.
“Instead of being focused on saving lives, controllers are now focused on what side job they can work to put food on the table,” he said.
“The layers of safety are being stripped away so we can eat again tomorrow.”
Delays Continue to Mount Nationwide
According to flight-tracking service FlightAware, over 18,000 U.S. flights were delayed nationwide on Tuesday — the latest surge amid the ongoing government impasse.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned that if staffing levels drop further, it may be forced to slow flights or limit arrivals — a standard safety measure.
However, NATCA said relying solely on overtime shifts is “no longer sustainable.”
FAA Admits Growing Strain
FAA Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged the system’s mounting pressure.
“They do really important work for our country and they need to show up,” Duffy said.
“But I’m not going to lie to anybody — they are feeling the stress.”
He noted that controller absences accounted for 44% of delays on Sunday and 24% on Monday, compared to the usual 5% average.
Controllers Share Personal Struggles
Air traffic controller Pete Lefevre, who works at Reagan National, described the financial uncertainty facing workers.
“You’ve got to make sure that you can provide for the essentials — babysitting, gas, that type of thing,” Lefevre said.
“But there’s not an indefinite stream of savings, and it’s tough. You just don’t know when the next check is coming.”
With roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA officers now working without pay, NATCA says each additional day of the shutdown increases operational risk.
Passengers Feeling the Impact
Travelers at Reagan National shared their frustration and anxiety over mounting delays, saying they’re growing increasingly concerned about the warnings from air traffic controllers.
Airport officials and airlines continue to stress that air travel remains safe, but they urge passengers to arrive early, monitor flight updates, and prepare for disruptions.
“We Just Want to Focus on Our Jobs”
Daniels emphasized that air traffic controllers are committed to keeping travelers safe, but that the shutdown’s financial uncertainty is taking a toll.
“We want to continue to perform for the American people,” he said.
“But we don’t want financial uncertainty in the back of our minds when we should be 100% focused on the work we do.”
