Air traffic controllers at the Federal Aviation Administration say the 36-day government shutdown has left them stressed and demoralized.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed an increase in controllers calling out sick and on Wednesday, announced a 10% reduction in flight capacity at 40 locations. The problem appears to have intensified after controllers stopped receiving their paychecks last week.
An uptick in controller shortages was previously reported by the Department of Transportation in early October, just days after the shutdown began.