Duffy Warns of ‘Mass Chaos’ in the Skies if Shutdown Drags into Next Week

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00:00Duffy Warns of Mass Chaos in the Skies if Shutdown Drags into Next Week

00:05Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that the nation's air travel system could face mass chaos

00:11if the government shutdown continues into next week and air traffic controllers miss a second paycheck.

00:17The warning follows a weekend of widespread flight delays and staffing shortages across major airports.

00:23On Sunday, the Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, temporarily slowed or halted traffic at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey

00:31due to a lack of available controllers, causing hours-long disruptions.

00:36FAA employees have already missed one paycheck on October 28, and the next is due next Tuesday, a point Duffy described as critical.

00:44A lot of us can navigate missing one paycheck. Not everybody, but a lot of us can.

00:49None of us can manage missing two paychecks, he said.

00:53If we reach next week, you will see mass delays, mass cancellations, and possibly closed airspace because we just don't have enough controllers.

01:02The National Air Traffic Controllers Association has issued similar warnings,

01:06saying many employees are being pushed to their financial limits while still required to work without pay.

01:12So far, flight disruptions have been sporadic,

01:14but experts caution that the situation could rapidly deteriorate if the shutdown persists.

01:19Major airlines, unions, and the U.S. Travel Association are urging Congress to reach an agreement,

01:25warning that the ongoing shutdown has already cost the economy more than $4 billion.

01:31With Thanksgiving approaching, the consequences of a continued shutdown will be immediate

01:36and deeply felt by millions of travelers, the association said.

01:40As of Tuesday afternoon, FlightAware reported nearly 2,000 delays nationwide,

01:46with staffing shortages at several major airports.

01:49Duffy warned that without resolution, the aviation system could soon reach a breaking point.

01:54So far, flight is harder, though, it's a waste of time.

02:01Now, I'm gonna say, you know, this is the American Department of State and the Department of State.

02:03And since I've never been in a chat with this, I'm in a huge collection.

02:07As of Tuesday afternoon, the wonder-and-and-and-and-and-and-and-and-and-are-kind-arl-ing agreement.

02:13So far, the support, the support, the help of the government should have been put together.

02:17So far, I'm in a huge strategy because I feel like this is a compelling project.