‘It is time’: Airlines stand with Vance, call on Congress to end ‘Schumer Shutdown’

The holidays are coming up, and one industry is begging the government to get its act together.

The world is getting ready for the holiday season, which means millions of Americans are preparing to jet off around the world to spend time with friends and loved ones. Unfortunately, the prolonged federal shutdown could put a real damper on things as air traffic controllers face the possibility of overtime without pay.

On Friday, the official White House X account shared a message accusing Democrats of continuing to keep the federal government closed. This is not only creating fear among SNAP recipients who are concerned about missing their monthly supplemental payments, but airlines that may have to ground flights if they can’t get some relief.

United, Delta, American and Southwest are ready to take off. Democrats are keeping the American people at the gate. pic.twitter.com/2zai38nPwE

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 31, 2025

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby stressed the dangers of allowing the shutdown to continue and not coming together to pass a “clean CR” so Americans don’t have to suffer the effects of political bickering.

Watch:

HOLY CRAP! The CEO of United Airlines is now GOING OFF on Chuck Schumer and the Democrats for shuttering the government and refusing to pay air traffic controllers

It’s getting worse for Chuck!

“Let’s get a CLEAN CR…without putting the American workers and economy at… pic.twitter.com/qjjGKjL0SB

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 30, 2025

“It’s putting stress on people. It’s not fair to those people. It’s also putting stress on the economy,” Kirby explained. “Airlines are a pretty good real-time indicator of the economy, and we start to see, still minor, but steep booking impact. And you see that happening in the economy. We put the whole economy at risk.”

American Airlines shared similar sentiments with Fortune.

“Congress needs to reach a bipartisan agreement to re-open the government as quickly as possible to pay our air traffic controller, [Transportation Security Administration], and [Customs and Border Protection] colleagues,” the airline said in a statement, which confirmed CEO Robert Isom’s attendance at the White House meeting with Kirby and others. “The quickest way to end this shutdown and get these workers paid is by passing a clean continuing resolution. A prolonged shutdown will lead to more delays and cancellations—and the American people, especially during the busy holiday season, deserve better.”

“It’s a world where they are now not only leaning on each other, they’re leaning on getting other jobs, going to their primary job in the day, and then in the evening, going out and having to do some level of a secondary job,” said National Air Traffic Controllers Association President Nick Daniels, revealing how dire things are for the people who essentially make air travel possible.

Those employees who aren’t interested in working for free are engaging in “sick outs” where they are not working until some form of payment is promised. This is adding stress to the employees who are showing up and creating delays and disruptions for air travel.

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