The US government shutdown, which has impacted flights across the country, entered its 36 th day on November 5, making it the longest shutdown on record. The previous longest-running shutdown took place in 2019 and lasted 35 days.
In a press conference on Tuesday November 4, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that some of the national airspace could close to air traffic if the shutdown extends for another week.
The shutdown, which began on October 1 , has meant federal employees, including Transportation Security Administration TSA workers and air traffic controllers have had to work without pay. Some workers have started calling in sick due to financial hardship, leading to flight delays and cancellations across the country.
