Khaberni - The American Aviation Administration announced on Monday the suspension of air traffic at Houston International Airport in Texas due to a shortage of staff amid the continuing government shutdown on its 34th day.
American navigational sources stated that over three million travelers were affected due to flight cancellations or delays because of the lack of air traffic controllers.
Meanwhile, the Texas Tribune reported that major airports in the state are experiencing significant delays in flights as travelers wait for hours due to a shortage of air traffic controllers and security staff.
Flight delays occurred at airports across the United States on Sunday due to a shortage in air traffic controllers.
Before the announcement of flight suspensions at Houston International Airport, American navigational sources mentioned that 3.2 million passengers were affected by flight cancellations and delays due to the shortage of air traffic controllers since the beginning of the shutdown.
Earlier on Monday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Davy stated that 84% of flights had been delayed over the past hours and warned that if the government shutdown does not end immediately, air traffic controllers would not receive their paychecks.
Davy added that the American administration might decide to completely close the airspace if it believes there is a greater risk from canceling or delaying flights on travelers.
The government shutdown forced 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officials to work without pay.
The government shutdown in the United States is nearing to be the longest ever as it enters its sixth week, amid ongoing partisan and political disputes over government funding and spending priorities.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated early Sunday that he is ready to sit down with the Democrats to reform the healthcare system, but only after the end of the government shutdown.
Trump added that he will not accept the Democrats' extortion, and continued by stating that the government shutdown will end, without specifying a time frame for it.
