The US government shutdown has entered its eighth day, and many air traffic controllers are not reporting to work. Consequently, the FAA has reported flight disruptions across the country.

On Wednesday, six major facilities struggled with low staffing. Centers near Washington, DC, Denver, Newark, and Orlando faced severe shortages. Furthermore, parts of New Mexico and California experienced reduced airspace coverage.

Officials Urge Controllers to Keep Working

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged the stress on controllers but pressed them to continue working. “I’m encouraging air traffic controllers to show up for work. They need to go to their jobs. They need to control the airspace,” he told CNN.

Concerns Over Pay

Controllers will receive pay, but only for hours worked before the shutdown. However, many have called in sick since the shutdown began. Duffy explained why: “They’re thinking about, am I going to get a paycheck? Some are asking themselves: ‘Do I have to take a second job and drive Uber when I’m already exhausted from doing a job that’s already stressful?’”

Trump Rejects Guaranteed Back Pay

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said furloughed employees may not receive back pay once the shutdown ends. He added that payments will depend on who he considers “deserving.”

When asked about a memo noting that 750,000 employees may not get back pay, Trump responded, “It depends on who we’re talking about. I can tell you this, the Democrats have put a lot of people in great risk and jeopardy.”

Growing Concerns for Flights

As a result, flight operations continue to face challenges. Staff shortages disrupt schedules and increase stress on controllers. Workers worry about pay and job security, while the FAA continues to monitor the situation closely.