Thousands of flights cancelled, Trump tries to lure air traffic controllers with $10,000 ‘patriot’ bonus

US President Donald Trump has directed all air traffic controllers (ATCs) to resume work immediately, threatening to dock pay for those who do not comply as widespread flight cancellations continue during the federal government shutdown.

“All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday morning. He warned that anyone failing to do so would be “substantially docked” and announced plans to recommend a $10,000 bonus for those who continued working throughout what he described as the “Democrat Shutdown Hoax.”

Trump also criticized controllers who had taken time off, saying they should resign if unwilling to work. “You will have a negative mark, at least in my mind, against your record,” he stated. The president added that those leaving service would not receive payment or severance and would be “quickly replaced by true Patriots” operating “state-of-the-art equipment” that is being ordered.

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Flight cancellations escalate as staffing shortages persist

While the Senate has moved toward resolving the government shutdown, air passengers continue to face significant delays and cancellations. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have reduced flight capacity across the country as air traffic controllers, already facing severe staff shortages, remain without pay.

During a federal shutdown, the president holds certain staffing powers, though critical employees such as ATCs are guaranteed back pay under the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 1999. Although Trump could order further staff reductions, the FAA’s challenges began before the shutdown, with limited personnel already straining the system. Duffy confirmed that recruitment plans are in motion but will take time to implement.

Trump’s directives could face legal scrutiny if his threat of withholding pay is viewed as coercion or a penalty. The proposed $10,000 bonus for those who have continued working may also raise constitutional concerns, as employees have already missed two pay periods.

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Over the weekend, airlines cancelled thousands of flights to meet the FAA’s order to cut flight schedules by 4 per cent. The reduction is set to increase to 6 per cent at forty of the country’s busiest airports by Tuesday and 10 per cent by the end of the week. By Monday morning, 1,600 flights had been cancelled for the day, with nearly 1,000 more expected on Tuesday.

The union hailed members working without pay as ‘unsung heroes’

Delays have continued nationwide since the shutdown began, as the FAA reduces air traffic whenever there are staffing shortages to maintain operational safety.

An additional 2,000 US flights were cancelled Monday as Trump threatened to withhold pay from air traffic controllers who called in sick during the ongoing government shutdown.

After Trump criticised absent aviation workers as unpatriotic, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) praised those continuing to work without pay as “unsung heroes” and urged Congress to end the impasse.

“Enough is enough,” the union said. The dispute underscores growing pressure on the aviation sector as the record-breaking shutdown entered its 41st day, even as a potential compromise bill in Congress raised hopes of a resolution.