US airlines have warned that a looming federal government shutdown could disrupt air travel nationwide, forcing air traffic controllers and security officers to work without pay and halting critical aviation functions.
Airlines for America, a trade group representing major carriers including United, Delta, American, and Southwest, said a lapse in funding would slow the system, reduce efficiency, and impact millions of travelers.
“When federal employees who manage air traffic, inspect aircraft, and secure our aviation system are furloughed or working without pay, the entire industry and millions of Americans feel the strain,” the group said in a statement.
Roughly 13,000 air traffic controllers and about 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers would be required to remain on duty without pay. During the 35‑day shutdown in 2019, rising absences among controllers and TSA staff led to long security lines and forced the Federal Aviation Administration to slow air traffic in New York, pressuring lawmakers to end the standoff.
The current shutdown is expected to begin Wednesday unless Democrats and Republicans reach a funding agreement. Congressional leaders left a meeting with President Donald Trump on Monday without a deal.
In a separate letter, airline groups, aviation unions, manufacturers, and airports warned that shutdowns force the FAA to suspend hiring and training of controllers, delay safety initiatives, postpone maintenance of critical equipment, and stall modernization programs.
A prolonged shutdown could also delay certification of the Boeing 737 MAX 7 and slow the $12.5 billion overhaul of the nation’s air traffic control system. The FAA has already confirmed it would suspend controller hiring and field training under its contingency plan.
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