Air traffic controllers, who are government employees, belong to one of the groups that will not be laid off during the shutdown that began on Wednesday. This means that they have to go to work without knowing when they will ultimately receive their salary payments. At the same time, several professional groups within the aviation industry must stay home.
The trade organization Airlines for America, which represents several major airlines, warns of consequences if the situation does not get a solution soon.
"When federal employees who handle air traffic, inspect aircraft and ensure our country's air system are laid off or work without pay, the entire industry and millions of Americans feel the strain," the trade organization states in a statement.
The air traffic controllers' American trade union is on the same track.
"When the federal government shuts down operations, unnecessary disruptions arise and our entire air system is weakened," says the trade union NATCA's chairman Nick Daniel in another statement.
Large parts of the American government apparatus have been shut down since Wednesday morning, Swedish time, since the Republicans and Democrats have not been able to agree on a budget in Congress.
