NATCA CALLS ON CONGRESS TO PASS FUNDING TO END GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

(WASHINGTON) – Today, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) expressed its disappointment that Congress was unable to reach an agreement to fund the government and called on legislators to end the government shutdown as soon as possible.  

This shutdown occurs less than three months after a record-long government shutdown that put unnecessary strain on the traveling public, the economy, and the aviation safety professionals who are vital to maintaining the safety of our National Airspace System (NAS).  

“Air traffic controllers and other aviation safety professionals are once again being asked to bear the stress and consequences of a government shutdown after enduring the last 43-day shutdown,” said NATCA President Nick Daniels. “These dedicated American workers show up to keep the flying public safe, even as funding uncertainty and stress mount. Congress must act quickly to end this shutdown so the workforce and the National Airspace System have the stability they need.” 

Air traffic controllers and other aviation safety professionals employed by the FAA, whose work has been deemed necessary for the preservation of life or the protection of property, are classified as “excepted” employees and are required to continue working without pay during a shutdown. This includes controllers who are already working mandatory overtime that requires them to work ten hours a day, six days a week. 

“A government shutdown places real and unnecessary strain on the air traffic control workforce  

and the aviation system as a whole,” said Daniels. “We have been through this too recently and endured the stress of the previous shutdown for far too long. Congress needs to fund the government as soon as possible and put an end to this disruption.”