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 1. Nation & World News

'Up to 15 or 20' air traffic controllers are retiring daily, official
says

  * Published: Nov. 09, 2025, 12:32 p.m.

APTOPIX Government Shutdown AirlinesAn American Airlines American
Eagle jet flies past the air traffic control tower at Phoenix Sky
Harbor International Airport Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP
Photo/Ross D. Franklin)AP

  * 
  * 
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By

  * Paul Vigna | pvigna@pennlive.com

The government has been short of air traffic controllers for years,
and multiple presidential administrations have tried to convince
retirement-age controllers to remain on the job.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Sunday that the ongoing
government shutdown has exacerbated the problem, leading some air
traffic controllers to speed up their retirements.

"Up to 15 or 20 a day are retiring," Duffy told CNN.

Duffy did note that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth offered to lend
military air traffic controllers, but it's unclear whether the staff
is certified to work on civilian systems.

He warned during that interview that U.S. air traffic could slow
significantly if the federal government shutdown continues into the
Thanksgiving travel season, which is less than two weeks away.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has already ordered flight
cuts at major airports.

Exacerbating the shortage is that some air traffic controllers, who
have gone unpaid for nearly a month, have stopped working.

Flight reductions began Friday at 4% and could reach 10% by Nov. 14.

On Sunday, 1,375 flights were canceled, and Duffy suggested that
further cuts might be needed, possibly up to 20%.

Government ShutdownTransportation Secretary Sean Duffy speaks to
reporters on day 23 of the government shutdown as he is joined by,
from left, Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., House Majority Whip Tom Emmer,
R-Minn., and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., at a news
conference at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. (AP
Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)AP

"More controllers aren't coming to work day by day, the further they
go without a paycheck," Duffy told "Fox News Sunday."

As for the busy Thanksgiving holiday, he warned that the turmoil will
only increase.

"As I look two weeks out, as we get closer to Thanksgiving travel, I
think what's going to happen is you're going to have air travel slow
to a trickle as everyone wants to travel to see their families,"
Duffy said.

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Paul Vigna headshot 
Paul Vigna

I grew up in Lansdale, outside Philadelphia, and graduated from
Temple University. Go Owls! have worked as a writer and editor,
beginning with several roles as a sports writer and copy editor in
Philly, which... more

pvigna@pennlive.com
 
 

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