Pressure on Senate Democrats to end the government shutdown is intensifying as America’s major airlines are now calling on Congress to pass a clean funding bill and get air traffic controllers paid again.
Three top airlines, Delta, American, and United, have now issued statements demanding an end to the Democrat-led shutdown.
The shutdown, now in its fifth week, has left essential federal workers such as air traffic controllers without pay, raising concerns about safety, travel delays, and mounting economic strain ahead of the holiday season.
“Missed paychecks only increase the stress on these essential workers, many of whom are already working mandatory overtime to keep our skies safe and secure,” Delta said in a Thursday statement.
According to CNBC, controllers missed their first full paycheck this week as the Democrat-led impasse drags on.
Airlines Warn of Looming Travel Chaos
Vice President J.D. Vance and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy met Thursday with Airlines for America, the nation’s largest airline lobbying group, whose members include Delta, American, and United.
The group warned that if the shutdown continues, travelers will face major disruptions.
“We are expecting a record holiday travel season; however, if the shutdown continues much longer, Americans will have to pack their patience and be prepared for more delays, unfortunately,” Airlines for America said.
American Airlines echoed that warning:
“A prolonged shutdown will lead to more delays and cancellations — and the American people, especially during the busy holiday season, deserve better.”
Air traffic controllers, deemed essential, are still required to work through the shutdown, but without pay.
Industry leaders say the stress is beginning to affect morale and safety.
In a statement, Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, said:
“Every day the shutdown continues, the National Airspace System becomes less safe than it was the day before, as the controllers’ focus shifts from their critical safety tasks to their financial uncertainty.”
Unions Add to the Pressure
The airlines’ statements follow Monday’s call from American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) President Everett Kelley, whose union represents more than 800,000 federal and D.C. employees, demanding that Democrats agree to a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government.
“Today I’m making mine: It’s time to pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown today,” Kelley said.
“No half measures, and no gamesmanship.
“Put every single federal worker back on the job with full back pay — today.”
But congressional Democrats have refused to move on funding, instead holding out for expanded Obamacare subsidies and new spending priorities, despite growing economic fallout.
Senate Democrats Block Reopening
A USA Today report noted that the latest Senate vote to reopen the government failed 54–45, falling short of the 60 votes required, with no new Democrats crossing the aisle to end the shutdown.
The gridlock has left millions of Americans, including federal workers, SNAP recipients, and now air travelers, in limbo as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) continues to block clean funding bills.
“The longer Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer waits, the worse this is going to get,” one congressional aide told reporters.
With travel season approaching and pressure mounting from both business leaders and unions, Democrats are increasingly isolated in defending the shutdown.
As frustration builds across industries and among working families, even left-leaning institutions like the Washington Post have warned that the Democrat strategy risks backfiring, leaving the party blamed for holding the government hostage as economic pain spreads nationwide.
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