Will U.S. Airspace Close? Here's What's Known

Duffy explained that, despite the context of budgetary crisis, the country’s air system remains safe and operational, though each day without funding increases the level of risk. “It would be dishonest to say that the shutdown doesn’t inject more risk into the system,” he stated.

According to the Secretary, thousands of air traffic controllers continue working without pay, which has led to absences, double shifts, and operational fatigue in control centers.

The official emphasized that the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are doing everything possible to maintain operations. In specific instances, he noted, flights have been delayed or canceled when there isn’t sufficient personnel to ensure safety. However, he warned that if the situation extends, the margin for maneuver will become increasingly narrow. In this regard, Duffy explained that many controllers are resorting to temporary jobs outside the sector to cover their expenses, a situation he deemed “unacceptable.” “Our controllers shouldn’t be driving Uber or waiting tables; they should be controlling our skies,” he remarked. The situation is complicated because, legally, the DOT cannot release emergency funds until Congress approves the government’s reopening. “I wish there were funds I could use, but there aren’t. That’s how the law works,” he lamented. According to the Secretary, if the shutdown continues for another week, controllers will receive a zero-pay stub, which could lead to mass absenteeism. “Many can withstand one missed paycheck, but none can withstand two,” he said. In that scenario, restrictions or partial closures of airspace would have to be considered, prioritizing safety over service continuity. However, Duffy dismissed the possibility of a total airspace shutdown. He explained that, in an emergency, tasks could be redistributed among control centers or operations moved to other facilities to maintain system functionality. Aside from the immediate crisis, the DOT is progressing with its plan to modernize air traffic control infrastructure, aiming to transition from an analog to a digital system. The project entails an investment of 31.5 billion dollars, of which 12.5 billion are already allocated. Currently, two technology consortia are competing to lead the first phase. “We have the safest and most efficient system in the world, not because of the equipment, but because of the men and women who operate it. But it’s an old system; we’re going to rebuild it,” Duffy asserted. The shutdown has also begun to impact the training of new controllers, an aspect the DOT considers essential for the system’s future. The FAA academy increased its enrollment by 20% for 2025, but its students rely on a stipend that could be suspended if the budget is not approved. “If they don’t receive that support, they will abandon the program, and that would be catastrophic for our next generation of controllers,” the Secretary warned. Finally, Duffy called on Congress to approve the government’s reopening and restore payments to federal personnel. “Democrats must do their job: fund the government, open it, and allow us to return to work,” he stated, insisting that the shutdown is a “painful” measure that ultimately affects the public and compromises operational safety. If the shutdown extends, the United States could face one of the most delicate tests for its aviation system in decades: maintaining its skies open and safe amidst a budgetary crisis.