【Epoch Times, November 11, 2025】US President Trump urges absent air traffic controllers during the government shutdown to return to their posts immediately, and suggests giving a $10,000 bonus to those who have continued working. Currently, flight delays and cancellations persist due to the increasing absenteeism of air traffic controllers.
On Monday, November 10, Trump posted on the social media platform Truth Social, saying, “All air traffic controllers must return to work immediately!!! Those who do not return will face significant pay cuts.”
Since the government shutdown began on October 1, air traffic controllers have been unable to receive their salaries for 41 consecutive days.
Trump also promised to give bonuses to controllers who have continued working during the shutdown. He suggested giving each of these patriotic air traffic controllers who did not take leave a $10,000 bonus to recognize their outstanding contributions to the nation.
Any bonuses would require approval from Congress. Currently, the Senate has taken the first step towards a bipartisan agreement to end the government shutdown. Only when the budget bill is passed can air traffic controllers receive their delayed salaries.
Nick Daniels, the President of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, stated at a press conference on Monday that he is willing to collaborate with President Trump and believes that the work of air traffic controllers should be acknowledged.
“Air traffic controllers have stood their ground during the government shutdown,” Daniels said. “They have experienced the longest government shutdown in American history, so they not only deserve their rightful wages but also recognition for their contributions.”
He expressed his willingness to work with the Trump administration to “address any existing issues” and indicated his readiness to support policies that recognize these hardworking controllers.
Flight delays have intensified pressure on Congress to end the government shutdown deadlock. With several weeks of unpaid work, the sick leave rate among air traffic controllers has significantly risen, leading to travel restrictions at major hubs across the USA and a large number of flight cancellations.
Last weekend, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a notice stating that more airports or airspace were facing delays due to understaffing.
On Monday, snowfall in Chicago further exacerbated traffic congestion at airports. The top three airports with the highest number of cancellations that day were Chicago O’Hare International Airport, New York’s LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport, which accounted for at least 8% of the total planned flights. Delta Air Lines had the highest number of flight cancellations that day.