Biden Administration Warns of Air Travel Disruption Amid Possible Government Shutdown
The Biden administration has issued a warning about the potential disruption to air travel in the event of a government shutdown. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg highlighted the negative consequences a shutdown would have on the progress made by the administration in addressing air traffic controller shortages, modernizing aviation technology, and reducing flight delays and cancellations. With government funding set to expire at midnight on Saturday, there is a looming deadline for Congress to agree on a stopgap spending measure.
Transportation Secretary Buttigieg emphasized that a government shutdown at this time would be particularly detrimental, especially in the transportation sector. He expressed concern that such a shutdown would lead to disruptive and dangerous outcomes. If funding does lapse, federal workers may face furloughs or be forced to work without pay. While air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers would continue to work during a shutdown, their pay would be suspended until the shutdown is resolved.
In an effort to illustrate the potential impact of a shutdown, the White House released a state-by-state breakdown of the approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA officers who would be required to work without pay. The release warned that a extreme Republican shutdown could cause significant delays for travelers.
Furthermore, a government shutdown could further worsen the existing shortage of air traffic controllers. Due to the pandemic, training for new controllers at the Federal Aviation Administration’s academy in Oklahoma City had been paused, disrupting the pipeline of new workers. Another shutdown would once again halt the training process. Additionally, Congress also faces a deadline to pass legislation reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration by Saturday. Failure to meet this deadline could result in additional disruption.
The effects of a government shutdown on the air travel system were previously observed during the 35-day partial government shutdown in 2018 and 2019, where air traffic controllers and TSA agents worked without pay. This led to increased unscheduled absences and longer wait times at security checkpoints. On the last day of the shutdown, staffing shortages at two air traffic control facilities caused significant flight delays in the Northeast. President Donald Trump subsequently agreed to reopen the government.
As the deadline for government funding draws near, the Biden administration is urging Congress to reach an agreement and avoid a shutdown that could have severe consequences for air travel and the wider transportation system. The focus is on finding a resolution that will safeguard the progress made in addressing air traffic controller shortages, modernizing aviation technology, and minimizing flight disruptions.
