Air travel across the United States continued to unravel Monday as the longest government shutdown in U.S. history strained the nation’s air traffic control system to the breaking point. Flight cancellations climbed sharply, and President Donald Trump’s warning to dock air traffic controllers’ pay if they fail to show up for work further inflamed tensions in an industry already buckling under pressure.

According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, more than 1,432 flights—about 5.5% of all scheduled departures—were canceled Monday, a number expected to rise as the week progresses. The Federal Aviation Administration’s earlier directive for airlines to reduce domestic operations by up to 10% by Friday has already grounded thousands of flights and triggered ripple effects across the nation’s busiest airports.

The shortages come as air traffic controllers missed their second consecutive paycheck, deepening financial strain on one of the most critical sectors of U.S. infrastructure.

Trump’s Ultimatum: Incentives and Threats

President Trump took to Truth Social early Monday, delivering both a warning and an incentive to the nation’s aviation workforce. “All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!!” he wrote, promising $10,000 bonuses for those who worked continuously through the shutdown while threatening pay reductions for those who remained absent.

While Trump framed the move as an effort to restore normalcy to the aviation system, labor representatives called the comments reckless and demoralizing. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) did not immediately respond publicly, though its president Nick Daniels later condemned the administration’s handling of the crisis, saying the extended shutdown had “eroded safety margins” and “pushed controllers beyond exhaustion.”

“The added stress leads to fatigue,” Daniels warned. “Fatigue has led to the erosion of safety and the increased risk every day that this shutdown drags on.”

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy previously urged patience and support for the aviation workforce, but Trump’s remarks appear to have undercut those efforts.

Airlines and Passengers Bear the Brunt

The operational fallout has been severe. Over the weekend alone, more than 18,500 flights were delayed and 4,500 canceled, according to FlightAware data. Airlines have scrambled to adjust, offering extra pay incentives to pilots and flight attendants to cover short-staffed routes.

American Airlines reported that roughly 250,000 customers were affected by disruptions over the weekend, with 1,400 cancellations tied directly to air traffic control shortages. Chief Operating Officer David Seymour said the situation was “simply unacceptable,” noting that “everyone deserves better.”

Similarly, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines offered premium pay to flight attendants and pilots for picking up additional trips—a practice more commonly used during severe weather events than political shutdowns.

To ease passenger frustration, airlines waived change fees and, in some cases, fare differences for travelers rescheduling affected flights. Still, mounting cancellations—especially among regional and short-haul routes—have cascaded into major disruptions across the national air network.

Sunday’s 2,631 cancellations, representing 10% of all scheduled flights, marked the fourth-worst day for U.S. aviation since January 2024, Cirium said.

Senate Progress Offers Glimmer of Hope

While the crisis worsened in the skies, there were tentative signs of progress in Washington. The Senate advanced a procedural vote overnight on a bipartisan bill to reopen the government temporarily, a move that lifted market sentiment but stopped short of a full funding agreement.

However, until the measure passes both chambers and federal paychecks resume, the aviation system will remain fragile. Controllers are expected to require weeks to restore normal operations, even after funding is reinstated, echoing the post-shutdown recovery that took more than two months following the 2019 standoff.

“This shutdown is more than a political impasse—it’s a full-blown operational risk,” said Richard Aboulafia, managing director at AeroDynamic Advisory. “Air safety depends on people, not politics. When morale and paychecks collapse, so does predictability.”

Outlook: Safety and Stability at Risk

As airlines, regulators, and passengers brace for continued disruptions, the shutdown’s damage to the aviation system’s credibility is becoming increasingly clear. If the stalemate extends further into November, industry groups warn of broader economic spillovers, from tourism losses to delayed cargo shipments and weakened business confidence.

For now, air traffic controllers remain the unsung linchpins holding the system together. Whether political leaders can deliver swift relief—or further deepen the turmoil—will determine whether this crisis becomes a temporary setback or a lasting scar on U.S. aviation.