Quantcast

ALPA: Thousands of aviation workers go unpaid to keep flights running during government shutdown

Routes 360 Headlines: Key Stories Of The Week (W/C October 20, 2025)
LATAM CEO: New Aircraft Mean New Routes, Engine Woes Remain A Concern
Boeing wins FAA approval to hike 737 MAX production to 42 planes per month
IATA Highlights Critical Priorities for Aviation Safety and Operations
Routes & Networks Latest: Rolling Daily Updates (W/C Sept. 22, 2025)
First new Qantas Airbus jets come with one toilet for every 90 economy passengers – worse than Jetstar, Scoot and Ryanair
Breeze Airways becomes the first new US flag carrier in a decade — just as rival Spirit fights its 2nd bankruptcy
Airport runway close calls spur hopes for wider adoption of cockpit alert technology
Family sues American Airlines over deadly crash near National Airport
United Airlines briefly grounds all flights in US, Canada for second time in 2 months
2025 Air Canada flight attendants strike
United Airlines lifts brief ground stop after tech issue prompts FAA halt
Spirit Airlines preparing to furlough one-third of its flight attendants
‘Hypocrisy’ and ‘blackmail’: Ryanair’s feud with Spain
Exclusive: Turkey's surprise Air Europa deal came down to one key thing: control
Major airline launches exciting new route from Scotland to popular US location
Airlines fear carbon tax as flagship climate scheme develops holes
Ryanair scraps three Vienna routes, demands lower taxes and fees
Turkish Airlines has no intention of raising stake in Spain's Air Europa, chairman says
US lawmakers want Trump to reinstate delay compensation plan for air travelers
IATA pushes to raise international pilot retirement age to 67
US orders Delta and Aeromexico to dissolve their partnership over fairness concerns in Mexico
Southwest’s New Wheelchair Policy Will Require Passengers to Remove 1 Item Before Boarding — What to Know
Aviation expansion: IndiGo to start direct Mumbai-Copenhagen flights from Oct 8; marks entry into Nordics - The Times of India
Major change for ALL Aer Lingus passengers flying from busy airport to offer 'modern and streamlined' experience
Southwest Airlines adds Sonoma County in California expansion - The Points Guy
Routes & Networks Latest: Rolling Daily Updates (W/C Sept. 8, 2025)
Delta Sees Record Premium Seats in '26, Main Cabin Flat or Down
Southwest requiring removal of batteries from mobility devices before boarding
Qantas’ milestone move for huge, new planes
ALPA: Thousands of aviation workers go unpaid to keep flights running during government shutdown
Airports
Webp jason ambrosi web
Jason Ambrosi, President of Air Line Pilots Association | Air Line Pilots Association

The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) has highlighted the challenges faced by federal aviation workers during the ongoing U.S. government shutdown. According to a post on X, thousands of these workers, including controllers, technicians, and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, are maintaining safe and operational air travel without pay.

In its message on X, ALPA said that "our aviation system safely moves millions of passengers & pounds of cargo daily. Now, thousands of federal aviation workers are doing it without pay." The union praised the "remarkable dedication" of these workers and emphasized their essential role in keeping aviation safe during the shutdown. This acknowledgment underscores ALPA’s focus on worker resilience within the aviation system.

An official ALPA press release titled "Updated ALPA Statement as Shutdown Enters Third Week" warned that "forcing federal aviation workers to continue their critical safety work without pay undermines the safety and security of our entire system." The organization urged policymakers to act immediately to restore funding and ensure fair compensation for affected personnel. This statement aligns with the earlier post on X, reinforcing ALPA’s message about the importance of adequately supporting federal staff for maintaining aviation operations' integrity.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

According to Reuters, more than 13,000 air traffic controllers and approximately 50,000 TSA officers are working without pay due to the shutdown. The report highlighted that this prolonged lapse in funding risks "straining the safety oversight system" as essential personnel face increasing financial and operational pressure. These figures provide context for ALPA’s concerns, illustrating the issue's scope facing aviation workers.

ALPA is recognized as the world’s largest airline pilot union, representing over 80,000 pilots across North America at 42 airlines. According to its official site, ALPA advocates for pilot safety, fair labor conditions, and sound aviation policy through industry partnerships and government engagement. Its communications during the shutdown emphasize its role as both a labor representative and an advocate for aviation safety.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

FedEx Express and UPS Airlines are two of the largest cargo carriers in the world, with both companies operating extensive fleets and moving significant volumes of freight globally.

Oct 25, 2025

The Dubai Airshow, the largest event of its kind in the region, is set to return in 2025 with more than 200 aircraft expected to be on display.

Oct 25, 2025

LOT Polish Airlines has announced a new route from Warsaw Chopin Airport to Almaty, Kazakhstan, set to begin on May 31 next year.

Oct 25, 2025

Air Canada has announced the launch of its fifth transatlantic route operated by the Airbus A321XLR, connecting Montreal to Porto.

Oct 25, 2025

London Heathrow Airport continues to be a central hub for global air travel in 2025, offering some of the world’s longest nonstop routes that connect the United Kingdom to destinations across every inhabited continent.

Oct 25, 2025

American Airlines has introduced a new high-premium configuration for its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet.

Oct 25, 2025