As the federal government faces its third straight day of shutdown, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has stepped up its efforts to pressure Congress into an immediate resolution. Union leaders have been distributing informational leaflets at major U.S. airports, urging lawmakers to prioritize restoring pay for federal workers and averting further disruptions to air travel. With the country’s air traffic control system functioning at maximum capacity, the absence of paid controllers has raised concerns about safety and operational efficiency.
Union President Nick Daniels, speaking at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, emphasized that the shutdown must end “today” regardless of the method. “There is no other solution,” he said, highlighting the urgency of the situation for both the public and the controllers themselves. NATCA’s call for immediate action has been met with mixed reactions, as the union has not endorsed a specific type of funding bill, unlike the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)