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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The United States carried out a third consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran, targeting military capabilities around the Strait of Hormuz as Donald Trump announced the reinstatement of a blockade on Iranian shipping and proposed a 20% fee on cargo passing through the strategic waterway.
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The United States carried out a third consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran, targeting military capabilities around the Strait of Hormuz as Donald Trump announced the reinstatement of a blockade on Iranian shipping and proposed a 20% fee on cargo passing through the strategic waterway.
President Ilham Aliyev is holding his annual question-and-answer session with international journalists at the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum in Azerbaijan.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 13th of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
An overnight fire at a popular bar in Bangkok has killed at least 30 people and injured 70 others, making it one of the deadliest pub disasters in the Thai capital in recent years. Authorities say the venue quickly filled with thick smoke, trapping patrons inside.
The United States carried out a third consecutive night of airstrikes against Iran, targeting military capabilities around the Strait of Hormuz as Donald Trump announced the reinstatement of a blockade on Iranian shipping and proposed a 20% fee on cargo passing through the strategic waterway.
The United States has announced a campaign to weaken the International Criminal Court (ICC), describing the tribunal as a threat to American sovereignty and signalling that further sanctions, visa restrictions and diplomatic pressure on allies could follow.
The United Kingdom, the European Union, Spain and Gibraltar have formally signed a treaty establishing new arrangements for movement and border procedures between Gibraltar and Spain.
Around 500 soldiers from countries supporting Ukraine marched down Paris's Champs-Élysées during France's annual Bastille Day parade. France said the procession, which also included 25 Ukrainian soldiers, demonstrated that Europe was ready to respond to growing international threats.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Tuesday that its Navy had struck U.S. military barracks, a satellite communications centre and a Patriot missile battery in Bahrain, while its Aerospace Force targeted an airbase in Jordan.
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