• Former President Donald Trump calls for air traffic controllers to return to work immediately as staffing shortages cause widespread flight disruptions.
  • Controllers have worked without pay for over a month, with many taking leave or resigning to find paid employment.
  • The FAA considers deploying military controllers, though operational and certification hurdles limit their effectiveness.

Former President Donald Trump has demanded that U.S. air traffic controllers return to their posts "immediately" as a prolonged federal government shutdown triggers severe staffing shortages and operational challenges at airports nationwide.

The call comes as air traffic controllers, designated as "mission-critical" personnel, have worked for more than a month without receiving paychecks. Many controllers received $0.00 pay stubs as of October 28, 2025, according to documents reviewed by sources familiar with the situation. The financial strain has pushed growing numbers of controllers to take leave or resign altogether in search of paid work.

"Air traffic controllers must get back to work now," Trump stated in a social media post that amplified concerns about the deteriorating situation. "The safety of American travelers depends on it."

The staffing crisis has already resulted in ground stops and significant flight disruptions at multiple major U.S. airports. JetBlue and other carriers have begun issuing travel alerts and offering flexible rebooking options to affected passengers.

Efforts to address the shortages have hit operational snags. The Federal Aviation Administration is actively considering the deployment of military air traffic controllers to cover critical gaps, but people familiar with the matter say their effectiveness would be limited due to differences in certification standards and operational procedures between military and civilian aviation.

"The certification process for military controllers transitioning to civilian towers is substantial," said one aviation official who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive operational matters. "They can't simply step into a major airport's control tower without significant retraining."

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association has been pressing Congress for a compromise to end the shutdown and restore pay, even as the FAA enforces stricter attendance policies under threat of disciplinary action. Union representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Trump's statement.

The current crisis echoes the 1981 PATCO strike, when President Ronald Reagan fired over 11,000 air traffic controllers, though the present situation involves controllers technically remaining on the job while working without compensation. The workforce was already grappling with chronic understaffing and mandatory overtime initiated during the post-pandemic travel recovery.

Air traffic controllers who have continued working describe mounting financial and mental health pressures. Social media posts showing $0.00 pay stubs have amplified public concern about the situation's sustainability.

If the shutdown persists, aviation experts warn that airports could face escalating delays, cancellations, and potential safety issues as more controllers leave their positions. The short-term outlook hinges on swift Congressional action or executive intervention, while long-term concerns include exacerbated controller shortages that could cause lasting operational disruptions throughout the national airspace system.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the number of air traffic controllers affected by staffing shortages. All federally employed controllers are working without pay during the government shutdown.