US Sees Air Safety Risks as Government Shutdown Hurts Flying (2)

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said he’d close US airspace if officials determined air travel was dangerous, as the government shutdown stretches into its second month.

“If we thought that it was unsafe, we’ll shut the whole airspace down,” Duffy said on Monday in an interview with CNBC. He said that the US isn’t there yet but the shutdown adds more risk to the aviation system.

The Federal Aviation Administration wasforced to slow traffic at many airports last week due to rising controller staffing shortages since the government shutdown began on Oct. 1. Air traffic controllers continue to work without ...