Lawmakers introduce bill to pay air traffic controllers during shutdowns

A bipartisan bill has been introduced in the US Congress to ensure air traffic controllers are paid during government shutdowns, aiming to prevent the flight disruptions experienced during the recent record-long shutdown. The bill proposes using a flight insurance fund, established after 9/11 and currently holding $2.6 billion, to cover salaries, operating expenses, and other FAA programs. This approach is intended to be more appealing than previous proposals that relied on the aviation trust fund, which collects fees from airlines. The bill's sponsors hope to pass it before the next government funding deadline at the end of January.

The legislation addresses the vulnerability of the air traffic control system during shutdowns, when controllers are expected to work without pay. The existing shortage of controllers exacerbates the problem, as even a few absences can lead to significant flight delays and cancellations. During the recent shutdown, the FAA ordered airlines to cut flights at 40 busy airports to alleviate pressure on the system.

The proposed solution involves tapping into an insurance fund created after 9/11 when airlines struggled to obtain insurance coverage. Airlines paid into the fund for years to receive government coverage. While the insurance program expired in 2014, the fund continues to exist to cover claims if the government commandeers an airline's planes for military operations or other uses. The fund has grown through interest and was last used after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. The new bill would cut off funding if the insurance fund dips below $1 billion, but Transportation Committee staffers estimate this would still provide enough funding to keep the FAA operating for four to six weeks.