Government shutdown impacts Jacksonville area air traffic control, passenger safety

The government shutdown has entered its 26th day.

It’s the longest government shutdown in our nation’s history, and it’s impacting our air space.

Action News Jax spoke with air traffic control at Jacksonville International Airport on how the shutdown is impacting not only their paychecks but passenger safety, too.

Air Traffic Control  makes sure planes arrive and depart safely each day, and at JIA, planes bring in nearly 10 thousand passengers a day.

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Passengers like Terry Ford say they’re worried about how this shutdown could impact their safety.

“I mean, you would have to be naive if you don’t think they play an important role in what happens every day in air traffic control,” said Ford.

The National Air Traffic Controller Association says with the government shut down, it hasn't been able to train new air traffic control employees.

Staff support and contractors have also been furloughed.

The association's current employees, who are without pay are also overseeing the safety of the planes as they land and take off.

Air Traffic Control tells us no matter how long it takes, it's going to be at JIA in the baggage claim between carousal 7 and 8 passing out fliers to let people know about the government shutdown.

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Mike Andrews just flew in from Las Vegas and says he would just like for President Donald Trump and Congress to find a resolution.

“I just hope that the government comes back whenever and makes this right and it doesn’t take another 30 days,” said Andrews.

The Air Traffic Controllers Association will continue to operate even with limited staff to make sure the air space and passengers are safe.

"Aviation safety is a nonpartisan issue; it’s not a Republican issue, it’s not Democrat issue, it’s an everybody issue,” said Paul Behan with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.

The National Air Traffic Controller Association tells us it will also be at JIA every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. passing out fliers about the impact of the government shutdown until it ends.

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Cox Media Group