Trump orders air traffic controllers back to work as flight cancellations rise

Summary

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Trump warns absent air traffic controllers of penalties

FAA says 20-40% of controllers haven't shown up at major airports

Senate moves forward with bill to end government shutdown

WASHINGTON, Nov 10 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump on Monday told air traffic controllers to go back to work as passengers faced another day of canceled flights, which the administration mandated to handle staff shortages during the government shutdown.

Trump said he would limit the pay of any controller who didn't return, and he would give $10,000 bonuses to those who hadn't taken time off during the 41-day shutdown. He also said he would accept resignations from the rest.

"All Air Traffic Controllers need to get back to work right now!!! Anyone who doesn't will see their pay cut a lot," Trump posted on social media. "GO TO WORK RIGHT AWAY."

The shutdown, which has gone on longer than any other in U.S. history, has made 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration agents work without getting paid. Some aren't showing up because they're working second jobs or can't pay for child care.

About 20% to 40% of controllers haven't shown up for work on any given day at the 30 largest U.S. airports during the shutdown, the FAA reported last week.

Stocks of the major U.S. airlines, including American Airlines (AAL.O), opens new tab, Delta Airlines (DAL.N), opens new tab and United Airlines (UAL.O), opens new tab, fell after Trump's social media post.

Officials questioned how the White House could withhold pay under the controllers' union agreement once the government reopens, as Trump warned, or how the president would fund the suggested $10,000 bonuses.

Airlines scrapped almost 2,000 flights on Monday, with more cancellations likely as the FAA ordered flight reductions to increase to 10% by Friday. A winter storm in Chicago also caused problems for air travel.

FlightAware, a website that tracks flights, reported that by 3 p.m. ET (1800 GMT), 5,825 flights had delays on Monday. This followed Sunday's disruptions, which saw 2,950 flights canceled and 11,200 delayed. Sunday marked the worst day for flight issues since the government shutdown began on October 1.