• The government shutdown has entered its 23rd day, potentially disrupting holiday air travel.
• Approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA officers are working unpaid.
• The White House and Transportation officials warn of significant flight delays and cancellations.

The ongoing US government shutdown, now entering its 23rd day, has prompted warnings from the White House regarding potential chaos at airports across the country. Approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers are continuing to work without pay, which could severely impact holiday air travel as they are set to miss their first full paycheck. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “We fear there will be significant flight delays, disruptions and cancellations in major airports across the country this holiday season,” stressing the urgency for Democrats to negotiate and end the shutdown to avoid compromising air travel reliability, according to Channel News Asia and India Times.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy echoed these warnings by indicating that staffing shortages have already led to a rise in absenteeism, with about 53 percent of flight delays attributed to air traffic controller absences early in the shutdown, which have since improved to 21 percent by midweek this week. However, with sustained absences, he expressed concern that "I can’t guarantee your flight will be on time or even depart,” highlighting the growing strain on airport operations, as controllers are also financially burdened during this period, as noted by The Jakarta Post and Channel News Asia.

Recent statements from various officials indicate that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently approximately 3,500 air traffic controllers short of the staffing levels required for optimal operation, which has resulted in many controllers working overtime to compensate for the shortage. House Speaker Mike Johnson highlighted that delays due to airport staffing shortages account for more than 50 percent of current flight disruptions, contrasting sharply with normal statistics of around 5 percent. “The longer the shutdown goes on... the safety of the American people is thrown further into jeopardy,” he warned, as the FAA and airlines fear that prolonged disruptions will threaten holiday travel plans, according to India Times and The Jakarta Post.

Amid rising tensions, the Senate has seen attempts to pass legislation aimed at mitigating the shutdown's effects on federal pay. Proposals to ensure compensation for employees, including military personnel and federal contractors, have faced significant political challenges in the Senate due to differing party priorities. Despite pushback, Democrats maintain that any resolution should address health care provisions that would prevent insurance premium hikes before they consider supporting a plan to reopen the government. This ongoing deadlock exacerbates the financial strain on transportation workers, causing many to seek additional employment to make ends meet, as noted by India Times, Channel News Asia, and The Jakarta Post.