WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Department of Transportation might have to close “certain parts of the airspace” if the federal government shutdown continues another week, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned on Tuesday.
CBS News reports that the DOT is shortchanged on air traffic controllers. Duffy explained that air traffic controllers are working without pay during the shutdown, so a higher number than usual are calling in sick. Because the job requires acute focus and alertness, he has been discouraging air traffic controllers from getting side jobs like food delivery services, even though they are struggling to make ends meet. Worries about supporting their families or affording critical medicines complicate the controllers’ ability to focus.
Duffy warned that there will be mass delays and cancellations because of the staff shortage that could impact Thanksgiving weekend air travel. “We will restrict the airspace if we feel it’s not safe.”
LaGuardia Airport has seen some close calls since the shutdown, now the longest on record, began on Oct. 1. Two pairs of planes collided in what officials called “low-speed” ground hits.
✰✰✰
