The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on November 21, 2025, that 776 air traffic controllers and technicians will receive $10,000 bonuses for working without pay through the recent government shutdown, making good on a pledge by US President Donald Trump that the “patriots” who missed no time during the chaotic period should be rewarded.
The bonus plan stems from the historic 43-day federal shutdown, which furloughed thousands of government workers and forced controllers and technical staff to keep the national air traffic system running without pay. Almost 20,000 FAA operational employees were eligible, but only those with perfect attendance during the shutdown will receive the money, according to the agency.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the plan on X, saying “Santa’s coming to town a little early” and noting the payments will be issued in early December. The FAA said all recipients met a zero-absence requirement.
The idea originated with a Truth Social post from Trump during the shutdown, in which he told air traffic controllers to “get back to work, NOW!!!” and warned that anyone who stayed home during what he called the “Democrat Shutdown Hoax” would be “substantially ‘docked.’” He praised those who worked every day as “GREAT PATRIOTS” and said he would recommend a $10,000 bonus for anyone who “didn’t take ANY TIME OFF.” He also criticized those who used leave, saying they “will have a negative mark” in his mind, and urged unhappy employees to leave the agency “with NO payment or severance of any kind.”
Neither of the agency’s two unions, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association nor the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, has so far issued a formal statement in response to the bonus plan.
The shutdown placed heavy strain on the aviation system. Earlier in November, the FAA reported delays of up to 83 minutes at major airports as controller staffing at some facilities dipped by 20-40% during the height of the impasse. To ease pressure, the agency instructed airlines to cancel roughly 4% of flights at 40 high-volume airports.
The Transportation Security Administration confirmed that TSA officers who worked through the shutdown without taking any leave will also receive $10,000 payments. Like the controller bonuses, the TSA awards apply only to employees with perfect attendance during the funding lapse.
