The second most powerful man in the US is not shy about saying that there will be a “disaster” in American aviation if the “shutdown” period continues
People at LaGuardia Airport in New York City, USA, on October 28, 2025. PHOTO: Michael M. Santiago / Getty images / Profimedia
US Vice President JD Vance on Thursday warned of a potential holiday meltdown if the federal government “shutdown” extends into the busy Thanksgiving travel season and urged Democratic lawmakers to vote to end the US's “budget impasse,” reports Reuters.
Vance said after a White House meeting with the CEOs of American Airlines and United Airlines, unions and other aviation industry officials that the government “shutdown” through the end of November risks more employee absences, much longer lines at security and flight delays.
“It could be a disaster. It really could be, because at that point we're talking about people losing three paychecks,” Vance said. “How many of them won't show up for work?” asked the US vice president.
Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have urged Congress to quickly pass a temporary funding bill that would allow the government to “reopen” and resume talks after the political wrangles. The 30-day government “shutdown” has already led to more flight delays due to air traffic controller absences, sources told Reuters.
The “shutdown” forced 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers to work without pay, these sources added.
Airlines have repeatedly asked the federal government to reopen, citing risks to aviation safety.
Thursday's White House meeting came as the government “shutdown” worsened existing staffing shortages and left more than 63,000 air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers working without pay. This has led to an increase in unscheduled absences and threatens to cause widespread disruptions similar to those that helped end the 2019 government shutdown.
Sean P. Duffy, the US Transportation Secretary, said 44 percent of Sunday's delays and 24 percent of Monday's were caused by air traffic controller absences, compared with the 5 percent average seen before the government “shutdown.”
Hundreds of air traffic controllers took second jobs to pay their bills after not receiving their first full paycheck Tuesday, and airlines and other entities are donating food to TSA agents and other federal employees at airports.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is about 3,500 air traffic controllers short of target staffing levels, and many of them were working mandatory overtime and six days a week even before the shutdown.
The 35-day “shutdown” in 2019 came to a halt after a surge in absenteeism by TSA screeners and officers successfully pressured Washington to reopen the federal government.
