The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) is urging its members to maintain professionalism and avoid any actions that could disrupt the US National Airspace System (NAS) as the federal government shutdown stretches into its second week.
The warning follows reports of staffing issues at several US airports, including temporary tower closures and delays tied to a rise in sick calls among controllers working without pay. While air traffic controllers are considered essential employees and remain on the job, they are not being paid during the shutdown.
In a statement posted on its website, NATCA said it “does not endorse, support, or condone any federal employees participating in or endorsing a coordinated activity that negatively affects the capacity of the NAS.” The union emphasized that such job actions are illegal and could get controllers fired.
“Participating in a job action could result in removal from federal service,” the statement reads. “It is not only illegal, but it also undermines NATCA’s credibility and severely weakens our ability to effectively advocate for you and your families.”
Under federal law, air traffic controllers and other government employees are prohibited from striking or taking part in coordinated job actions, including so-called “sickouts.”
NATCA President Nick Daniels reiterated that message this week during a press conference with US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, calling for an end to the shutdown that has forced tens of thousands of FAA employees to work without pay.
“We need to bring this shutdown to a close so that the FAA and the committed aviation safety professionals can put this distraction aside and focus completely on their vital work,” Daniels said. He added that goals such as accelerating controller hiring and modernizing the air traffic system “require our immediate and full attention.”
NATCA’s leadership also reminded members that the union’s public credibility depends on maintaining discipline and professionalism under pressure. “In the current political climate, federal employees are under heightened scrutiny,” the statement said. “It is essential to avoid any actions that could reflect poorly on you, our Union, or our professions.”
The comments come as pressure mounts on Congress and the White House to reach a budget agreement. Several airports have already reported longer wait times and intermittent tower staffing shortages. According to industry officials, even small reductions in staffing can ripple quickly through the system, causing delays that affect passengers across the country.
Controllers faced similar challenges during the 35-day shutdown in 2019, when widespread fatigue and an uptick in sick leave at major facilities contributed to flight delays along the East Coast. That disruption helped push lawmakers to reopen the government at the time.
NATCA has spent months warning lawmakers that the FAA’s workforce remains stretched thin, with thousands of controllers eligible for retirement and training pipelines still recovering from pandemic-era slowdowns. The FAA has hired more than 2,000 new controllers in the past year, but staffing remains below the agency’s target levels.
Union officials said the shutdown threatens to derail that progress by slowing academy training, delaying facility upgrades, and forcing safety inspectors and technical specialists to work without pay. The longer the shutdown continues, they warned, the greater the risk to morale and retention among ATC staff.
Despite the strain, NATCA urged members to continue providing the high standard of service that has kept US aviation among the safest systems in the world. “Time after time, NATCA members have proven that we are dedicated and resilient,” the union said. “We urge you to stand in solidarity with your brothers and sisters by continuing to exhibit the same unwavering professionalism that the aviation community and the American people deserve.”
