Air Traffic Controllers & Pilots From Around the World Share Messages of Global Solidarity with NATCA During the U.S. Government Shutdown

Oct 20, 2025

In recognition of the International Day of the Controller, air traffic controllers and pilots from around the world issued statements in support of American air traffic controllers, who are presently operating under enormous stress and distraction, as they continue to be responsible for moving 35,000 flights with millions of passengers and many tons of cargo every day without pay, because of the government shutdown.

Below you will see letters from our brother and sister controllers at Colegio de Controladores de Tránsito Aéreo de Chile (ATC Chile), Danish Air Traffic Controllers Association (DATCA), Ghana Air Traffic Controllers Association (GHATCA), Irish Air Traffic Controllers Association (IATCA), Colegio de Controladores de Tránsito Aéreo de México (COCTAM), and the Uruguayan Air Traffic Controllers Association (ACTAU).

We also received letters of support from international aviation professional organizations: the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations (IFATCA) and the International Federation of Air Line Pilots' Associations (IFALPA).

NATCA thanks these international air traffic controllers and pilots for standing with the hardworking American controllers.