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Trump threatens penalties for absent air traffic

controllers

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FAA reports 20% to 40% of controllers have been absent at

major

airports

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Senate advances bill to end government shutdown

(Updates with flight impacts in paragraphs 3, 5-7)

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON, Nov 10 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald

Trump on Monday demanded air traffic controllers return to work

as travelers endured another day of flight cancellations, which

the administration ordered to manage staff shortages during the

government shutdown.

Trump's comment came after the U.S. aviation system has

suffered serious disruptions in recent days as air traffic

controller absences soared while they work without pay. Some are

absent as they need to work second jobs or cannot afford child

care.

An airline trade group said 1.2 million customers on

Saturday and Sunday had flights delayed or canceled due to air

traffic issues.

Threatening to curtail the pay of any controller who did not

return to work, Trump said he would award those who have not

taken time off during the 41-day shutdown $10,000 bonuses and

would welcome the resignations of the rest.

"All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!!

Anyone who doesn't will be substantially 'docked,'" Trump wrote

on social media. "REPORT TO WORK IMMEDIATELY."

Even before the shutdown, the Federal Aviation

Administration was about 3,500 air traffic controllers short of

targeted staffing levels. Many had been working mandatory

overtime and six-day weeks.

Officials said it was unclear how the White House could deny

pay under the controllers' union contract once the government

reopens, as Trump threatened, or how the president would pay for

the proposed $10,000 bonuses.

STAFFING ISSUES AT TWO DOZEN AIRPORTS

There were strong indications the longest government

shutdown in U.S. history will end later this week after a

compromise that would restore federal funding cleared an initial

Senate hurdle late on Sunday.

But it was unclear when Congress would give its final

approval and when airline operations could return to normal as

the U.S. approaches the busy Thanksgiving holiday travel period.

Some 20% to 40% of air traffic controllers have been

absent on any given day at the 30 biggest U.S. airports during

the shutdown, the FAA said last week.

Despite Trump's threatening social media post, the FAA

reported late on Monday that it had staffing issues at nearly

two dozen air traffic facilities across the United States.

The FAA imposed ground delay or ground stops programs due to

staffing issues at eight airports including Houston, New York,

Newark, Chicago, Phoenix and Las Vegas and it was slowing

flights in Florida. Airlines have canceled more than 2,250 U.S.

flights and delayed more than 8,100 on Monday, according to

FlightAware, a flight tracking website.

On Sunday, 2,950 flights were canceled and nearly 11,200

delayed in the single worst day for flight disruptions since the

government shutdown began on October 1.

Shares of the biggest U.S. carriers, including American

Airlines ( AAL ), Delta Air Lines ( DAL ) and United Airlines

, turned negative after Trump's social media post.

FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS SET TO RISE

The FAA instructed airlines to cut 4% of daily flights

starting last week at 40 major airports. That is scheduled to

rise to 6% on Tuesday and then hit 10% on Friday.

Staffing issues worsened over the weekend and the number of

air-traffic control centers with staff shortages rose to 81 on

Saturday, the peak since the start of the shutdown on October 1,

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Sunday.

Duffy has sought to retain controllers who could retire,

speed hiring and undertake a $12.5 billion overhaul of

air-traffic control systems.

Asked about Trump's comments, including the bonus plan,

National Air Traffic Controllers Association President Nick

Daniels said on Monday controllers would appreciate any

recognition.

"We'll work with the administration .... Air traffic

controllers will continue to show up during this shutdown," he

said.

Trump scolded controllers who have taken time off and called

those who have continued to work "GREAT PATRIOTS."

Representative Rick Larsen, the top Democrat on the House of

Representatives committee overseeing the FAA, said the

controllers "deserve our thanks and appreciation, not unhinged

attacks on their patriotism."

'SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE,' AMERICAN AIRLINES ( AAL ) EXECUTIVE SAYS

Airlines urged quick approval of a bill the U.S. Senate

voted to advance on Sunday that would reopen the government. It

was unclear when Duffy would lift the flight restrictions.

"The government shutdown must end and so must the disruption

caused to our customers and the federal employees who are being

forced to work without pay," Southwest Airlines ( LUV ) CEO Bob

Jordan said.

American Airlines ( AAL ) said more than 250,000 customers' flights

were canceled or delayed over the weekend. "This is simply

unacceptable and everyone deserves better," American Chief

Operating Officer David Seymour told employees.

The FAA said late on Sunday it was also suspending

private-plane traffic at 12 airports with air traffic control

staff shortages, including Chicago O'Hare and Reagan Washington

National.