U.S. President Donald Trump ordered air traffic controllers back to work amid record flight cancellations and delays during the 41-day federal government shutdown, warning penalties for absences and promising rewards for those who stayed on duty.
Trump also promised rewards for controllers who remained on duty throughout the shutdown, though it is unclear how many would qualify for the proposed $10,000 bonus. He added that he would accept resignations from those who took leave.
“All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!! Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially ‘docked,’” Trump wrote on social media. “REPORT TO WORK IMMEDIATELY.”
The president’s message sent shares of major U.S. airlines, including American Airlines, Delta, and United, lower. Flight Disruptions Worsen
The shutdown has left air traffic controller staffing at critically low levels, as many federal employees remain unpaid. FAA Chief Bryan Bedford reported last week that 20–40% of controllers were absent on any given day at the nation’s 30 busiest airports. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said staffing issues peaked over the weekend, with Saturday being the worst single day since the shutdown began.
On Monday, airlines cancelled 1,700 U.S. flights, with delays also mounting. FlightAware reported that by 11:30 a.m. ET, 3,480 flights were delayed after 2,950 were cancelled on Sunday, marking the worst disruption since the shutdown started on 1 October. A November winter storm in Chicago further aggravated travel delays. Controller Shortages and FAA Measures
The FAA is operating roughly 3,500 controllers below target staffing levels. Many had already been working mandatory overtime and six-day weeks before the shutdown. Duffy has introduced incentives to retain retirement-eligible controllers and launched a $12.5 billion plan to modernize U.S. air traffic control.
The FAA also suspended general aviation traffic at 12 airports, including Chicago O’Hare and Reagan Washington National, due to staffing shortages. Airlines have been instructed to cut daily flights by 4% at 40 major airports, with reductions rising to 6% on Tuesday and 10% by 14 November. Duffy emphasised that flight cuts will remain until air traffic control staffing and safety data improve. Union Response
National Air Traffic Controllers Association President Nick Daniels said the union would continue working with the administration and that controllers will keep showing up during the shutdown.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate moved forward late Sunday on legislation to end the shutdown, though final approval from the House and President Trump is still required.
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Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 28 September 2026. These are the top stories making headlines in technology.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has arrived in Washington for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on bilateral ties and key regional and international developments, Saudi state news agency SPA reported.
U.S. President Donald Trump has denied reports that he offered Iran sanctions relief and access to frozen funds in exchange for nuclear concessions.
The European Union's decision to simultaneously advance accession talks with Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro and Albania marks its most ambitious enlargement effort in more than two decades.
A child was killed and five other people injured in Russian air strikes on Kyiv and the surrounding region early on Wednesday, Ukrainian officials have said.
China has announced plans to complete the world's first AI-driven geological map of Mars by the end of 2028, a project that aims to reconstruct the red planet's ancient water history and introduce a Chinese framework for Martian geological time that Beijing hopes will become a new global standard.
Norway’s parliament on Wednesday began public hearings into ties between late U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Norwegian diplomats and politicians, as authorities face questions over the impact of those relationships on the country’s foreign service.
New York prosecutors have reopened a criminal investigation into allegations that seven Cornell University fraternity members sexually assaulted a student in 2024. The case is set to be presented to a grand jury following renewed scrutiny.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has declared that Brexit has done more harm than good, while reaffirming support for Ukraine and NATO as he used his first Labour conference speech as leader to set out a new direction for Britain.
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