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Nearly 800 Air Traffic Workers to Receive $10,000 Bonuses for Perfect Attendance During Shutdown

The Transportation Department and FAA announced that nearly 800 air traffic controllers and technicians who maintained perfect attendance during a more-than-40-day government shutdown will each receive $10,000. The bonus follows a presidential directive to recognize staff who worked through overtime, cancellations and temporary flight reductions at about 40 busy airports. NATCA said 311 union-represented employees will get the award but warned thousands of other controllers were excluded and urged further recognition. Recipients will be notified next week and paid by Dec. 9.

09:19 PM, 11/21/2025Politics
Nearly 800 Air Traffic Workers to Receive $10,000 Bonuses for Perfect Attendance During Shutdown

Nearly 800 air traffic controllers and technicians who did not miss a single workday during the more-than-40-day federal government shutdown will each receive a $10,000 award, the Transportation Department and the Federal Aviation Administration announced Thursday.

The payments follow a directive from President Donald Trump to recognize aviation personnel who worked through chaotic conditions during the record-long lapse in funding. The shutdown forced many controllers to work overtime, contributed to widespread call-outs, produced mass flight cancellations and delays, and led to a temporary reduction of flights at about 40 of the busiest U.S. airports.

Officials said the award will be given to employees who "maintained perfect attendance" throughout the shutdown. Recipients are expected to be notified next week and receive their payments by Dec. 9.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford praised the staff, saying he was "profoundly proud and grateful" for those who worked "during extraordinary operational challenges to keep the national airspace running safely during the longest government shutdown." He described their efforts as examples of the "highest levels of public service."

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the bonus on X, writing, "Santa’s coming to town a little early."

The shutdown placed strain on an already short-staffed workforce: many controllers worked without pay, and some took second jobs to make ends meet while continuing to manage air traffic.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) said 311 union-represented employees will receive the bonus, but it stressed that thousands of other air traffic personnel who also reported for duty during the shutdown were excluded from this recognition. According to the FAA, there are more than 14,000 air traffic controllers in the United States.

"While we support recognition for aviation safety personnel, we are concerned that thousands of air traffic controllers who consistently reported for duty during the shutdown were left out," NATCA said. "More than 311 of these dedicated professionals were instrumental in keeping America moving. We look forward to working with the Administration to provide appropriate recognition to those not covered by the announcement."

Government officials did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.

Last week, President Trump suggested on Truth Social the idea of a $10,000 bonus for controllers who did not take time off during the shutdown and said those who failed to return to work should be "substantially 'docked.'"

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