The month-old U.S. government shutdown has pushed the aviation industry to breaking point, with airline executives warning Congress that the impasse is jeopardising both worker welfare and economic stability ahead of the holiday season.
United Airlines chief executive Scott Kirby said the shutdown was placing “unfair stress” on air traffic controllers working without pay, as well as on the broader economy. “Airlines are a real-time indicator of economic health,” he told reporters outside the White House. “We’re starting to see a dip in bookings — small but sharp — and that’s a worrying signal.”
Kirby joined Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, former New Hampshire governor Chris Sununu and American Airlines CEO Robert Isom in a meeting with Vice President JD Vance on Thursday, urging a bipartisan deal to reopen the government. The group called for a “clean continuing resolution” to restore pay for air traffic controllers, TSA officers and border agents.
American Airlines said in a statement that the situation was “unacceptable,” warning that prolonged gridlock would bring more flight delays and cancellations. “The American people, especially during the busy holiday season, deserve better,” the company said.
The shutdown has left more than 13,000 air traffic controllers working without pay, many clocking 60-hour weeks in an already understaffed system. Some controllers have taken side jobs as drivers or servers to make ends meet. “They’re exhausted and desperate,” said Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.
Flight disruptions are mounting: over 7,000 delays and 1,200 cancellations were recorded on Thursday alone.
The funding lapse, now nearing a record 34 days, could cost the U.S. economy nearly $14 billion in lost GDP, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Public opinion polls suggest most Americans blame President Trump and congressional Republicans for the stalemate.
