Nearly 800 air traffic controllers and techs with perfect attendance during shutdown to receive $10K bonuses

Nearly 800 air traffic controllers and technicians with perfect work attendance during the government shutdown will receive a $10,000 award for their "patriotic work" ensuring sky safety, the Transportation Department and the Federal Aviation Administration announced Thursday.

Nearly 800 air traffic controllers and technicians with perfect work attendance during the government shutdown will receive a $10,000 award for their "patriotic work" ensuring sky safety, the Transportation Department and the Federal Aviation Administration announced Thursday.

The award is part of President Donald Trump’s directive to reward the air traffic personnel who weathered the chaos of the record-long shutdown that resulted in controllers’ working overtime, call-outs, mass flight cancellations and delays and a temporary cut in flights at 40 of the busiest airports.

The award will be sent to those “who maintained perfect attendance” during the more than 40-day shutdown, officials said. Recipients will be notified next week and receive their payments by Dec. 9.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said he was "profoundly proud and grateful" for the personnel who worked "during extraordinary operational challenges to keep the [national air space] running safely during the longest government shutdown.” He called their work "the highest levels of public service."

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy posted the bonus announcement on X, writing: "Santa’s coming to town a little early."