Just 776 air traffic controllers will get Trump’s $10,000 bonus, but the union says thousands who worked during the shutdown were left out

The Trump administration has finalized a $10,000 bonus for a select group of air traffic controllers, with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirming payments will be disbursed by December 9. This initiative targets just 776 controllers who maintained operations during the longest government shutdown in US history. While intended as compensation for their critical work, the limited scope of the bonus has ignited significant controversy within the US civil aviation sector.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has vehemently criticized the administration's decision, asserting that thousands of other controllers who also worked without pay during the shutdown have been unjustly excluded. NATCA argues that the narrow criteria for eligibility overlook a substantial portion of the workforce that ensured the safety and continuity of US airspace operations under immense financial and professional strain. This disparity threatens to undermine morale across the entire air traffic control system.

The government shutdown, which spanned 35 days, forced many essential federal employees, including air traffic controllers, to work without immediate compensation. The current bonus structure, perceived as arbitrary by the union, raises questions about equitable recognition for the entire workforce that sustained the nation's vital air travel infrastructure. This situation highlights ongoing tensions between the US government and its critical aviation personnel, potentially impacting future labor relations and the stability of air traffic operations.