U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Thursday warned that a prolonged government shutdown could cause severe disruptions to air travel during the busy Thanksgiving holiday period, urging Democrats to help pass legislation to reopen the government.
Speaking after a meeting at the White House with executives from American Airlines, United Airlines, industry unions, and aviation officials, Vance said a shutdown lasting into late November could trigger widespread employee absences, long security queues, and flight delays.
“It could be a disaster,” Vance said. “At that point, you’re talking about people who have missed three paychecks. How many of them are not going to show up for work?”
Major airlines, including Delta and United, called on Congress to approve a short-term funding bill to end the stalemate and allow negotiations on broader policy issues to continue. Sources told Reuters that the 30-day shutdown has already led to a sharp rise in flight delays due to staff shortages among air traffic controllers.
The shutdown has forced 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers to work without pay, worsening an already critical staffing shortfall. Many have taken second jobs to make ends meet after missing their first full paycheck this week.
Industry officials say the situation is rapidly deteriorating. According to union representative Duffy, 44% of flight delays on Sunday and 24% on Monday were caused by air traffic controller absences — compared with an average of just 5% before the shutdown.
Airlines and airport workers have begun donating food and supplies to unpaid TSA and FAA staff, echoing scenes from the 2019 government shutdown, which lasted 35 days and ended after widespread staff shortages disrupted travel nationwide.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) remains about 3,500 controllers short of its staffing target, with many employees already working mandatory overtime and six-day weeks before the shutdown began — raising fears of a full-blown travel crisis if the impasse continues into the holiday season.
Iran has said that reaching an agreement with the U.S. to end the war does not mean Tehran will overlook what it describes as war crimes committed aga...
Russia has allowed some oil refineries to produce fuel with lower environmental standards for the domestic market as repeated Ukrainian attacks on ene...
The United Nations Security Council unanimously extended the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) until 17 June 2027 in New York o...
The first day of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, was dominated by discussions on the Middle East, Ukraine and the global e...
The FIFA World Cup 2026 produced drama and surprises on 14-15 June, with Iran fighting back to draw 2-2 with New Zealand, Ivory Coast scoring a stoppa...
Russia has allowed some oil refineries to produce fuel with lower environmental standards for the domestic market as repeated Ukrainian attacks on energy infrastructure disrupt supplies, according to a report by the Russian newspaper Kommersant.
The United Nations Security Council unanimously extended the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) until 17 June 2027 in New York on Monday, preserving its humanitarian, rights and political work.
The first day of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, was dominated by discussions on the Middle East, Ukraine and the global economy, as leaders grappled with multiple crises that have reshaped the international landscape.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 produced drama and surprises on 14-15 June, with Iran fighting back to draw 2-2 with New Zealand, Ivory Coast scoring a stoppage-time winner over Ecuador, Sweden thrashing Tunisia 5-1, and debutants Cape Verde holding Spain to a goalless draw.
Details of a reported draft memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran offer the clearest picture yet of how both sides plan to end months of conflict and move towards a longer-term settlement.
The U.S. and Iran say they have reached a deal to end their conflict, with an immediate ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz after the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade. Talks will continue over the next 60 days to finalise the agreement
A senior U.S. official said on Monday that the memorandum of understanding linked to the U.S.-Iran agreement had been signed by President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told U.S. President Donald Trump that Israel does not consider itself bound by a Lebanon-related provision in an emerging agreement with Iran, according to Israeli officials.
Switzerland on Sunday rejected a referendum proposal to cap its population at 10 million, a projection showed, as voters prioritised economic stability and the country's ties with the European Union over immigration concerns.
Firefighters and workers were clearing debris on Monday after what Ukraine described as a deliberate Russian strike severely damaged a nearly 1,000-year-old cathedral in Kyiv, one of the country's most important religious and cultural landmarks.
One month after Ebola cases were confirmed in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, health officials and aid organisations say the true extent of the outbreak remains unclear because of major gaps in testing, reporting and disease surveillance.
The first day of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, was dominated by discussions on the Middle East, Ukraine and the global economy, as leaders grappled with multiple crises that have reshaped the international landscape.
Pakistan's political leadership on Monday welcomed a breakthrough agreement between the U.S. and Iran aimed at ending more than three months of conflict, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif describing it as a major diplomatic success and a victory for peace.
Hungary's parliament on Monday approved a constitutional amendment limiting prime ministers to a maximum of eight years in office, a move that effectively prevents former premier Viktor Orbán from returning to the country's top political post.
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