Washington, D.C., Monday — Air travel across the United States faced further chaos on Monday as an additional 2,300 flights were cancelled nationwide.
The cancellations came shortly after President Donald Trump threatened to withhold pay from air traffic controllers who failed to report to work during the ongoing government shutdown.
The disruption, which affected major airports including Atlanta, Chicago, and New York, left thousands of passengers stranded or facing lengthy delays.
Aviation officials said the cancellations were largely due to staffing shortages, as many air traffic controllers called in sick amid growing frustration over unpaid wages.In a statement, President Trump warned that those who “refuse to show up for duty” during the shutdown risk losing their pay permanently.
His remarks sparked criticism from labor unions, who accused the administration of intimidating essential workers already struggling without income.
Transportation authorities said efforts were underway to stabilize flight operations, but cautioned that delays and cancellations could continue if staffing issues persist.
The latest wave of disruptions adds to the mounting economic and logistical toll of the prolonged government shutdown.