New Delhi, Nov. 12 -- Secretary of the US Department of Transportation Sean Duffy said on Tuesday that air traffic controllers will receive 70% of their pay within 48 hours of the government reopening.

"This is a TOP priority for me so we can get our airspace back to 100 percent," Sean Duffy posted on X.

His statement came amid news of a possible end to the US government shutdown.

Moreover, staffing issues worsened over the weekend, and the number of air-traffic control centres with staff shortages rose to 81 on Saturday - the peak since the start of the shutdown on 1 October - Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Sunday.

According to ABC News, airlines have cancelled more than 7,500 flights since Friday due to weather and air ...