Major U.S. airlines are providing support to federal workers as nearly 13,000 air traffic controllers continue to work without pay during the ongoing government shutdown. The airline aid efforts aim to ease the burden on essential employees, including air traffic controllers and more than 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers, who have not received paychecks since the shutdown began on Oct. 1.
An American Airlines spokesperson told FOX Business the company remains “committed” to helping federal employees, offering free meals at major airports including Dallas Fort Worth, Philadelphia, JFK, LaGuardia, Los Angeles, and Miami. “We’re grateful to the air traffic controllers, TSA officers and [Customs and Border Protection] officers who continue to ensure safe travel for our customers — even as they go unpaid during the government shutdown,” the spokesperson said.
Southwest Airlines said it is “doing its best” to reduce flight delays caused by the shortage of paid controllers. “Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees,” a company spokesperson said. The airline noted it may adjust flight schedules to minimize disruptions.
Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, and United Airlines have also donated meals and supplies to unpaid federal workers. Alaska Airlines directed media to Airlines for America, a trade association that urged Congress to reopen the government. “Missed paychecks for the federal employees charged with the safe and efficient facilitation of our national airspace unnecessarily increases stress,” the group said, warning that “a system under stress must slow down.”
The Federal Aviation Administration has stopped responding to media inquiries due to the funding lapse, as the shutdown continues to delay a resolution.
