U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has issued a stark warning that the United States may be forced to close “certain parts of the airspace” as early as next week if the ongoing government shutdown is not resolved. The threat is not a direct order but the consequence of a mounting staffing crisis, as essential federal employees are about to miss their second paycheck.
The government shutdown, which entered its 35th day on November 4, 2025, has forced over 60,000 “essential” federal employees, including all air traffic controllers and TSA officers, to work without pay. This has led to a spike in employee “call-outs,” creating dangerous staffing shortages at critical air traffic control facilities.
Secretary Duffy warned that the system is approaching a breaking point. While many controllers managed to work through one missed paycheck, he stated that a second missed paycheck, due next week, would be the tipping point. “You will see mass flight delays, you’ll see mass cancellations, and you may see us close certain parts of the airspace,” Duffy said at a press conference.
The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) protocol prioritizes safety above all else. When a control tower or center is understaffed, the agency is forced to slow down or stop air traffic to a level that can be managed safely.
This is already happening. Over the past weekend, more than 10,000 flights were delayed, and major airports in New York, Philadelphia, and Jacksonville have reported critical staffing triggers. Secretary Duffy has been clear on the protocol: “If we thought that it was unsafe, we’ll shut the whole airspace down. We won’t let people travel… It’s just significant delays.”
The U.S. Travel Association has warned that the shutdown is already causing massive disruption and economic damage, with the busy Thanksgiving holiday travel period approaching.
