FAA Awards $10,000 Bonuses to Air Traffic Controllers with Perfect Attendance During Government Shutdown

Nov 21, 2025 01:55 pm CST

The FAA has announced that only 776 of over 10,000 air traffic controllers will receive $10,000 bonuses for perfect attendance during the 43-day government shutdown. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy praised these dedicated workers while acknowledging ongoing staffing shortages in the aviation sector. The shutdown caused significant flight delays as many controllers missed work due to financial hardships, though normal operations have now resumed.