Trump Pushes for Air Traffic Controllers’ Return and Promises Them Thousands in Bonuses!
With 2,000 flights canceled and 11,000 delayed, Trump threatens firings and offers bonuses as the FAA struggles with severe staff shortages and winter storms.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday called on air traffic controllers to return to work as travelers across the country faced massive flight cancellations during the worst air travel disruption since the start of the government shutdown.
In a post on Truth Social early Monday, Trump wrote: “All air traffic controllers must return to work NOW!!! Anyone who doesn’t will be fired… Go to work immediately.” He also threatened to cut the pay of absentees while offering bonuses of up to $10,000 for those who continued working without interruption.
The shutdown, which began on October 1, has forced about 13,000 controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration employees to work without pay, leading to widespread absenteeism at major airports. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that between 20% and 40% of controllers have been absent daily across the 30 largest U.S. airports.
This severe shortage prompted the FAA to gradually reduce flight volumes — from 4% last week to 10% by Friday — at 40 major airports, while suspending private jet operations at 12 airports, including Chicago O’Hare and Washington Reagan.
Flight Chaos Deepens as Trump’s Remarks Draw Mixed Reactions
According to Reuters, around 2,000 flights were canceled and more than 5,800 delayed by Monday evening, following delays of nearly 11,200 flights on Sunday — marking the worst day of disruptions since the shutdown began. The crisis coincided with a severe winter storm that hit Chicago, worsening the nationwide chaos.
Reactions to Trump’s remarks were mixed. American Airlines CEO David Seymour called the situation “completely unacceptable,” while Southwest CEO Bob Jordan stated that “the shutdown must end, as must the suffering of our customers and federal employees forced to work without pay.”
Democratic Representative Rick Larsen criticized Trump’s tone, stressing that “air traffic controllers deserve thanks and appreciation, not questioning of their patriotism.”
As the aviation sector awaits the passage of a Senate-approved bill to temporarily reopen the government through January 30, the shutdown continues to affect millions of travelers. The FAA estimates a chronic shortage of about 3,500 air traffic control positions and is pursuing a $12.5 billion overhaul of the nation’s air traffic systems.
