The government has been short of air traffic controllers for years, and multiple presidential administrations have tried to convince retirement-age controllers to remain on the job.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Sunday that the ongoing government shutdown has exacerbated the problem, leading some air traffic controllers to speed up their retirements.

“Up to 15 or 20 a day are retiring,” Duffy told CNN.

Duffy did note that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth offered to lend military air traffic controllers, but it’s unclear whether the staff is certified to work on civilian systems.

He warned during that interview that U.S. air traffic could slow significantly if the federal government shutdown continues into the Thanksgiving travel season, which is less than two weeks away.

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