Arguably more so than anything else, the ongoing government shutdown has wreaked havoc on the U.S. airline industry, with thousands of flights now being cancelled or delayed every day due to staffing shortages caused or worsened by unpaid air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration agents calling in sick to work.

On Monday, President Donald Trump excoriated the air traffic controllers who've skipped work during the shutdown and warned that they could face additional repercussions if they don't return to their jobs immediately, according to the Daily Mail.

However, the president also praised those workers who've shown up to perform their duties every day despite not being paid, and promised a lucrative reward for their strong dedication and work ethic.

Trump wants absent air traffic controllers to return to work immediately

"All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!! Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially 'docked,'" President Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

"For those Air Traffic Controllers who were GREAT PATRIOTS, and didn’t take ANY TIME OFF for the 'Democrat Shutdown Hoax,' I will be recommending a BONUS of $10,000 per person for distinguished service to our Country," he continued.

"For those that did nothing but complain, and took time off, even though everyone knew they would be paid, IN FULL, shortly into the future, I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU," the president stated. "You didn’t step up to help the U.S.A. against the FAKE DEMOCRAT ATTACK that was only meant to hurt our Country. You will have a negative mark, at least in my mind, against your record."

Trump further noted, "If you want to leave service in the near future, please do not hesitate to do so, with NO payment or severance of any kind! You will be quickly replaced by true Patriots, who will do a better job on the Brand New State of the Art Equipment, the best in the World, that we are in the process of ordering."

In conclusion, the president reiterated, "Again, to our great American Patriots, GOD BLESS YOU -- I won’t be able to send your money fast enough! To all others, REPORT TO WORK IMMEDIATELY."

Thousands of flights being cancelled daily

According to NBC News, the scourge of call-outs from unpaid air traffic controllers during the ongoing shutdown has prompted the Transportation Department and the Federal Aviation Administration to begin purposefully canceling a percentage of flights per day in major airport hub cities to relieve the pressure on controllers who are still working.

That has resulted in thousands of flights being cancelled or delayed every day over the past week, though some of those disruptions may be due to inclement weather in some parts of the country and not because of the FAA's grounding order.

Still, the government's action has had a tangible impact, and the 6% reduction in air traffic on Tuesday is slated to increase to 8% and then 10% by the end of the week.

Interestingly enough, the Senate on Monday finally agreed on a deal to reopen the government, which will presumably be approved by the House and signed into law by President Trump with great haste. Yet, NBC News reported that it might still take several more days or weeks after that occurs before the disrupted air traffic finally returns to normal.

Transportation secretary chimes in

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy shared President Trump's post on his X account, and wrote, "I agree @POTUS. Air traffic controllers NEED to show up for work! To those who have worked throughout the shutdown -- thank you for your patriotism and commitment to keeping our skies safe. I will work with Congress to reward your commitment."

Duffy also reposted a sharp critique of Trump's handling of the situation from his Democratic predecessor, former Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and quipped, "Give me a break. You were basically AWOL at the DOT. I spend my whole day dealing with your neglect and cleaning up your messes. Sit this one out."