Marion Blakey, former FAA Administrator and former Rolls Royce North America CEO, joins CNBC's 'Money Movers' to discuss how the government shutdown is impacting air traffic, whether delays could escalate, and much more.

Major airports in the United States are reporting thousands of flight delays as a result of the ongoing government shutdown. The situation is being made worse by staffing shortages, with air traffic controllers required to work without pay. Former FAA administrator Marion Blakey highlighted that the impact is being felt by both leisure and business travelers, and warned that if the shutdown persists, delays could escalate into flight cancellations. The challenges also raise concerns about morale among air traffic controllers and the attractiveness of the profession, as essential workers continue to work without compensation.

Government shutdown delays U.S. flights

Meantime, major airports across the United States reporting thousands of delays since the beginning of the government shutdown, those disruptions being exacerbated by staffing shortages as air traffic controllers go without pay. It's a challenge our next guest says could escalate from delays to flight cancellations if the shutdown lasts a long time. Joining us this morning is Marion Blakey, former FAA administrator and TSB chair, CEO of Rolls-Royce North America. Marion, appreciate the time and the help. Good to see you. Great to see you. Thank you for including me today. Can you sort of characterize your level of concern for the moment? Well, it's a growing concern, I have to admit, because the shutdown is definitely affecting the air traffic system. You know, we're seeing more and more delays at big airports, for example. Complex airspace, a lot of connecting flights. That really does ripple through the system. And at this point, you know, I think we do need the Congress to understand that this is the kind of thing that I don't think the American public puts up with very well. You know, because it has a direct impact on their lives, both as leisure travelers and as business people. So, you know, we need to get on it. And the air traffic controllers, I think, are doing the best they can. But at this stage of the game, there are not enough people in the towers either. We've been drawing some parallels to, I think it was January of 19, and I'm sure you remember that shutdown, when some of those flight delays and backups began to hit the East Coast. And that's when it seemed like shutdown negotiations really got back to the table. Would you expect a similar thing to happen this time? I think so, because I think members of Congress who, of course, fly out of Washington, Reagan, sometime Baltimore, every weekend, they're going to be very aware and directly affected themselves. So, I think we're going to see a lot more emphasis in the Congress on fixing this. And it is up to the administration and particularly the Senate to get on with it. And of course, this comes against a backdrop where we've already seen shortages of air traffic controls and so forth that they've been looking to build up. What do shutdowns like this mean for morale among air traffic controllers and just the appeal of getting into this industry in the first place? You know, my experience is that air traffic controllers are incredibly motivated people. It takes a particular, you know, person who can take that kind of stress, has the technical skills. So, they are a very important asset to us in the system and in the U.S. But they're people like anyone else. And when they find that they are not getting a paycheck, even though they're deemed essential workers and have to come to work, it's not a discretionary thing, it's very hard on them. And I think some who may have opportunities for a side job, something else to supplement family income, have got to be thinking about that now to add on to the duties that they have in the towel. And to tell you the truth, the last thing in the world we need are people in the towers who are distracted by personal problems that are very real. I agree. I mean, if we're trying to recruit controllers in general, demonstrating to them that they have to be put through this kind of non-pay period is not the greatest recruitment tool. That is for sure. We will hope for the best in the coming days. We have to keep this a bit short today, Miriam, but please come back. Good to see you. Miriam Blakey, former FAA Administrator. Good to see you. Thank you.

Officials say a deadly explosion at a military explosives facility in Tennessee killed multiple people, and others remain missing. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul reports.

McEwen

Deadly explosion at military explosives facility in Tennessee

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the deployment of National Guard troops anywhere in the state of Illinois. CBS News' Ian Lee reports.

Chicago

Judge temporarily blocks National Guard deployment to Illinois

The Israeli military has begun withdrawing troops following a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The deal, brokered by the U.S. and Egypt, includes releasing hostages and a plan for Gaza's future governance.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Gaza ceasefire agreement has come into effect, Israeli military says

Venezuelan political opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio reports.

Stockholm

María Corina Machado wins Nobel Peace Prize

U.S. President Donald Trump will travel to Egypt and Israel this weekend to attend the signing of the Gaza peace agreement, address Israel's parliament and witness the release of hostages.

Washington

Trump to visit Middle East for Gaza peace deal signing

New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted on one count of bank fraud and one count of giving false statements. She called the charges baseless and politically motivated, accusing President Donald Trump of using the Justice Department for revenge.

New York

NY Attorney General Letitia James indicted on federal fraud charges

China dramatically expanded its rare earths export controls on Thursday (October 9), adding five new elements and extra scrutiny for semiconductor users as Beijing tightens control over the sector ahead of talks between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.

Beijing

China tightens rare earth export controls ahead of U.S. talks

A French court on Thursday (October 9) rejected the appeal of a former construction worker found guilty last year of the aggravated rape of Gisele Pelicot, and increased his prison sentence by a year to 10 years, his lawyer said

Paris

Sentence increased for man convicted of raping Gisele Pelicot

At least two people have died in a powerful 7.4 earthquake that struck the south east coast of the Philippines on Friday (October 10). Authorities had initially issued evacuation warnings following tsunami threats; however, these have now been lifted.

Davao Oriental

Philippines hit by 7.4 magnitude earthquake, at least two dead

Peru’s Congress has voted to impeach President Dina Boluarte on grounds of moral incapacity, plunging the country into fresh political turmoil after months of unrest.

Quito

Peru's President Dina Boluarte impeached

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that his government has approved a plan to release all remaining hostages in Gaza. The move is part of President Trump’s peace plan and could bring an end to the two-year conflict in the region.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Israeli government approves framework to release hostages

New York Attorney General Letitia James has been indicted by a grand jury in Alexandria, Virginia. She faces two separate charges, one count of bank fraud and one count of false statements to a financial institution.

Alexandria

Federal grand jury indicts New York AG Letitia James

Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas signed an agreement on Thursday to cease fire and free Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, in the first phase of U.S. President Donald Trump's initiative to end the two-year war in Gaza.

Trump says Israel hostages to be freed early next week

The U.S. Senate held its seventh round of votes Thursday on Democratic and Republican plans to fund and reopen the government, but once again the bills failed to pass.

Senate votes to reopen government fail again on 9th day of shutdown

The chemistry award is the third 2025 Nobel Prize to be announced this week. Three U.S. scientists won the award in chemistry for creating a new molecular structure.

U.S. scientist trio win Nobel Prize in chemistry

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of wanting to sow "chaos" in Ukraine by launching strikes on his country's energy grid and railway infrastructure, in comments published Thursday.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Zelenskyy says Russia aims to sow 'chaos' with energy strikes

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Wednesday (October 8) that Hamas has agreed to release hostages and Israel will pull back its troops in Gaza in the "first phase" of a peace deal. CBS News' Debora Patta reports.

Israel and Hamas agree to phase one of peace deal

Russia and China are sending high-level representatives to North Korea for celebrations honoring 80 years of the ruling party. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio reports.

Pyongyang

Russia, China send representatives to North Korea

The Toronto Blue Jays won Game 4 of their American League Division Series matchup against the New York Yankees to advance to the next round of the Major League Baseball playoffs.

Blue Jays defeat Yankees to advance to ALCS

The ongoing U.S. government shutdown has led to major delays and staffing shortages at airports, raising safety concerns. The flight attendants’ union says reduced oversight and overworked crews are putting additional strain on the aviation system.

Aviation less safe during any government shutdown, union warns

Earlier this week, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said one of the reasons for staffing shortages at airports is that a growing number of air traffic controllers have been calling in sick. Those controllers don't know when they'll get their next paycheck amid the government shutdown.

Los Angeles International Airport

Why the government shutdown is playing into travel delays

President Trump says he might travel to the Middle East as soon as this weekend as Israel and Hamas continue indirect negotiations to end the war in Gaza. CBS News senior White House and political correspondent Ed O'Keefe has the details.

Cairo

Trump 'may' go to Egypt or Gaza amid Israel-Hamas peace

A 29-year-old Florida man has been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with the deadly Palisades Fire that scorched parts of Los Angeles earlier this year, officials said Wednesday.

Los Angeles

Man arrested for allegedly starting Palisades Fire in California

Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty to two counts in federal court on Wednesday (October 8) after being indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice in September.

James Comey pleads not guilty to charges brought by Trump's DOJ

Some air traffic control staffing issues and bad weather are affecting flight delays as the government shutdown enters its eighth day. CBS News senior transportation correspondent Kris Van Cleave has more details.

Government shutdown, staffing issues lead to flight delays

Hamas’ lead negotiator says the group needs guarantees of a lasting peace as indirect talks with Israel to reach an agreement over the implementation of the first phase of Trump’s peace plan for Gaza enter the third day.

Sharm El-Sheikh

Hamas says it is ready to reach Gaza deal but needs 'real' guarantees

Sebastien Lecornu to hold two days of talks to try to shore up cross-party support for his collapsed government.

Outgoing French PM launches last bid to quell political crisis

Israel is pressing forward with its attacks across the Gaza Strip. 
Its forces have targeted displaced families in Khan Younis, killing a mother and her children. Several Palestinians have also been killed in a strike on Al Shati refugee camp, in Gaza City.

Israeli strikes intensify in Gaza despite ceasefire talks

Palestinian solidarity demonstrators have marched through Mexico and Chile’s capitals, demanding their governments sever diplomatic ties with Israel. The protests mark the second anniversary of Israel's war on Gaza.

Mexico City

Palestinian solidarity protests sweep Latin America

National Guard troops are preparing to be deployed to Chicago. Members of the Texas National Guard arrived just outside the city on Tuesday. The move is being criticized as an abuse of presidential authority.

Breakdown