Duffy warns of dismissals for absent air traffic controllers

Published 09/10/2025, 14:56
Duffy warns of dismissals for absent air traffic controllers

Investing.com -- U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned Thursday that air traffic controllers who repeatedly fail to show up for work could be dismissed, as a spike in absences is causing significant air travel disruptions during the ongoing government shutdown.

"If we have some on our staff that aren’t dedicated like we need, we’re going to let them go," Duffy said during an appearance on Fox Business. "I can’t have people not showing up for work."

Duffy noted that 90 to 95% of controllers are continuing to report for duty despite not receiving paychecks during the shutdown. However, he emphasized that even a small number of absences can have outsized effects on air travel.

"It’s a small fraction of people who don’t come to work that can create this massive disruption, and that’s what you’re seeing rippling through our skies today," Duffy said.

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