• Trump demands all air traffic controllers report to work immediately.
• Controllers who did not take time off during the shutdown could receive a $10,000 bonus.
• The FAA has mandated flight cuts due to staffing shortages amid the 41-day shutdown.
• Airlines reported significant flight cancellations and delays amidst the government crisis.
• Trump warned that workers refusing to return would face pay docking and potential replacement.

President Trump has issued a firm demand for all air traffic controllers to return to work, citing a severe shortage of staff during the ongoing government shutdown. In a post on Truth Social, he stated, "All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!! Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially 'docked'" according to The Hill and Reuters.

During this prolonged shutdown, which is now the longest in U.S. history, many federal employees, including over 13,000 air traffic controllers, have been working without pay. The staffing crisis has resulted in staffing levels at the 30 largest U.S. airports being severely impacted, with 20-40% of controllers absent on any given day, reports indicate from Reuters and NPR.

In a bid to reinforce morale among the workforce, Trump has proposed a $10,000 bonus for air traffic controllers who have continued to show up for work without pay. He labeled these individuals as "GREAT PATRIOTS," contrasting them with those who have taken time off. His remarks included a warning about the career implications for those who have absented themselves during the shutdown, indicating they would risk being "docked" in their pay and could be quickly replaced if they chose to resign, as confirmed by SCMP and India Times.

The shutdown has exacerbated disruption in air travel, leading to a sharp rise in flight cancellations and delays. On a recent day, airlines saw about 1,780 flights cancelled, with thousands more delayed. Some reports cite that cancellations could increase as the FAA ordered cuts of up to 10% in daily flights to mitigate safety concerns due to controller shortages. This situation has prompted airlines and industry leaders to push for an urgent resolution to the ongoing government crisis, highlighting the effect on travel and federal employee well-being according to India Times and SCMP.