Impending Government Shutdown Threatens U.S. Aviation Industry
Over 11,000 FAA employees face furlough if government funding ends, impacting U.S. aviation. While air traffic controllers work unpaid, a 25% furlough at NTSB allows new investigations. A U.S. partial shutdown could cost the travel sector $1 billion weekly, straining air traffic and efficiencies.
The U.S. Transportation Department announced that more than 11,000 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees, approximately a quarter of its workforce, would face furlough should government funding lapse. Both airlines and travelers have raised concerns about potential disruptions, highlighting the strain on American aviation during a federal government shutdown.
Despite the potential furloughs, over 13,000 air traffic controllers must continue working unpaid to maintain safety, as the FAA grapples with a significant staffing shortfall of 3,800 controllers. The FAA would continue hiring and training new controllers, as prior shutdowns caused suspensions in these activities.
The National Transportation Safety Board reported a probable 25% furlough among its 400 employees, though critical air accident investigations, such as the January 29 deadly collision, would persist. In a similar vein, approximately 50,000 Transportation Security Administration employees are mandated to remain on duty without pay, raising concerns about checkpoint delays and potential pressure on lawmakers to resolve the standoff swiftly.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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