Spin the system off from government, so flights won’t be hostage to D.C.

Secretary Sean Duffy predicted Tuesday that there could be chaos in the skies next week if the government shutdown drags on and air traffic controllers miss a second paycheck.

WASHINGTON >> U.S. airports reported more than 20 incidents of air traffic controller shortages on Saturday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said, in the latest sign of the government shutdown’s impact.

The transportation secretary said the decision was "data-based," finding the 40 locations where the pressure is the worst.

The Department of Transportation might be forced to shut down the airspace in certain parts of the country if the government shutdown continues into next week.

The Department of Transportation has warned that airline traffic could "slow down" or "stop" amid the government shutdown, as controllers are "stressed" over missed paychecks.

The current government shutdown will become the longest in U.S. history if it continues into Wednesday.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy visited BNA amid air traffic control staffing shortages. Stress for controllers has only become worse as they work without pay during the government shutdown.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said that his agency is working to ensure flights are safe but conceded that shortages of air traffic controllers during the government shutdown do add some risk. The government has been shut down for more than a month now,

The leak appeared to be an attempt to derail any attempt to renominate Isaacman, allowing Duffy to continue as interim administrator at a minimum.