FAA Awards $10,000 Bonuses to 776 Air Traffic Workers Who Had Perfect Attendance During Shutdown

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy commended the workers for keeping the public safe during the federal government shutdown.

People watch from an overlook as an American Airlines plane takes off near the air traffic control tower at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in Los Angeles on Nov. 12, 2025. Mario Tama/Getty Images

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Thursday that 776 air traffic controllers and technicians with flawless attendance records during the recent 43-day federal government shutdown will receive $10,000 bonuses.

The shutdown, which began in early October and represented the longest in U.S. history, led numerous controllers to take sick days due to the unpaid work.

The absences caused delays at airports nationwide, resulting in government-mandated flight reductions by airlines at 40 major hubs.

Late last month, the FAA implemented ground delays at airports such as Newark, Austin, and Dallas-Fort Worth.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers were unpaid during the ordeal. All employees are receiving full retroactive pay following the shutdown.

Congress considered legislation to ensure pay for air traffic controllers and military personnel during the lapse, but no such measure passed before the government reopened.

President Donald Trump first shared the idea of bonuses for those who remained on duty in a social media post, while also suggesting pay deductions for absentees. FAA authorities have not announced any disciplinary actions against controllers.

In an X post announcing the bonuses, Duffy quipped it was as if “Santa’s coming to town a little early.”

“These patriotic men and women never missed a beat and kept the flying public safe throughout the shutdown,” Duffy stated in a formal announcement. “This award is an acknowledgement of their dedication and a heartfelt appreciation for going above and beyond in service to the nation.”

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford also thanked the employees who never missed a day of work.

“I am profoundly proud and grateful for the air traffic personnel who worked during extraordinary operational challenges,” he said in a statement. “Their dedication represents the highest levels of public service.”

Recipients of the bonus will be notified next week and receive their payment by Dec. 9.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association said that 311 of its 10,000 members qualify for the bonuses, acknowledging in a statement the merit of those with perfect attendance but stressing the contributions of others.

“We are concerned that thousands of air traffic controllers who consistently reported for duty during the shutdown, ensuring the safe transport of passengers and cargo across the nation, while working without pay and uncertain of when they would receive compensation, were excluded from this recognition. More than 311 of these dedicated professionals were instrumental in keeping America moving,” the union said.

Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) criticized the limited approach, saying that everyone involved in ensuring air operations were sustained during the shutdown deserves a reward.

“For the Trump administration to not give a bonus to every single one of these hardworking women and men is wrong; they all deserve a bonus and back pay,” said Larsen, who serves as the ranking member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

The controllers’ union said they hoped to collaborate with Duffy to reward all who served during the shutdown.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revealed $10,000 bonuses earlier this month for Transportation Security Administration officers who went “above and beyond” while not receiving pay, though she did not specify the exact number of workers who would receive bonuses.

Although controller numbers have rebounded considerably since the end of the shutdown, allowing airlines to restore standard schedules this week, around 1,000 flights were canceled last Thursday after reopening.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.