US government shutdown could add misery to air travel

28/9/2023 12:13

        U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg warned on Wednesday that a partial government shutdown could disrupt air travel and said the government would need to furlough 1,000 air traffic controllers in training.
        
        If Congress does not fund government operations before Saturday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) estimates it would have to furlough more than 17,000 employees and halt the training.
        
        "Especially when it comes to transportation, the consequences would be disruptive and dangerous," Buttigieg said at a press conference.
        
        Past federal government shutdowns caused "significant delays and longer wait times for travelers", the White House said.
        
        The U.S. Travel Association said a partial shutdown would cost the U.S. travel economy as much as $140 million a day.