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.
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Welcome to our live coverage as the conflict involving Iran enters its 11th day. Tensions in the region remain high as the United States and Iran e...
The Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point of global concern as tensions rise following the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israe...
Reports of so-called “acid clouds” moving from Iran towards Central Asia are not supported by scientif...
A senior delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has been holding meetings with Georgian government offici...
Welcome to our live coverage as the conflict involving Iran enters its 11th day. Tensions in the region remain high as the United States and Iran exchange increasingly sharp warnings over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
The Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point of global concern as tensions rise following the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Tehran has threatened to block the strategic waterway, raising fears of disruption to global oil shipments and energy markets.
Reports of so-called “acid clouds” moving from Iran towards Central Asia are not supported by scientific data, national hydrometeorological services in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan say, adding there is no threat to the region.
A senior delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has been holding meetings with Georgian government officials, opposition leaders and security authorities this week, as international observers attempt to gauge the country’s political climate following last year’s contentious elections.
Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is a hardline cleric with strong backing from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. His rise signals continuity in Tehran's anti-Western policies.
Global oil prices surpassed $119 a barrel on Monday (9 March, 2026), an almost four year high, as the Middle East conflict rumbled on.
Welcome to our live coverage as the conflict involving Iran enters its 11th day. Tensions in the region remain high as the United States and Iran exchange increasingly sharp warnings over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, has addressed the U.N. Security Council, saying the world must consider how effective its engagement with the Taliban-run country is as millions face hunger.
British MPs have rejected a proposal to introduce an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s, opting instead to give ministers flexible powers to impose restrictions on platforms.
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 10th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. President Donald Trump called his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very good.” The two leaders spoke on Monday about the situation in Iran and other international issues.
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