Shutdown Threatens US Aviation, 11,000 FAA Employees Prepare to Work From Home
The US government is facing a potential shutdown, and the impact is already being felt in the aviation sector. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced it will furlough more than 11,000 employees, or about a quarter of its total staff, if government funding is not approved soon. However, approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers (ATCs) are still required to work to ensure aviation safety, although they will not receive pay during the shutdown.
This situation has raised concerns from major airlines such as United, Delta, and American Airlines. They warned that the shutdown would slow down the aviation system as staff work without pay and some critical functions are halted. Passengers risk flight delays and long lines at security checkpoints.
In addition to the FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will also furlough approximately 25% of its staff. However, they will continue to investigate major accidents, including the fatal incident between an American Airlines regional jet and a military helicopter. This decision differs from the 2019 shutdown, when the NTSB halted most of its activities due to a lack of funding.
The impacts are not just technical. Approximately 50,000 TSA officers who maintain security at airports must also continue working without pay. During the previous longest shutdown in 2019, staff absences increased sharply due to delayed paychecks, causing severe congestion at airports. If a repeat occurs, the U.S. travel industry could lose up to $1 billion per week, according to the U.S. Travel Association. (Ads)
Source: Newsmaker.id
