Airline industry showing signs of distress as government shutdown grinds on

Published October 7, 2025 5:42pm ET



The airline industry is among the first to show signs of strain as a result of the government shutdown, just one week after funding lapsed on Oct. 1.

Flight delays, an air traffic controller shortage, and long security lines have been reported this week across the United States — problems that President Donald Trump dubbed during remarks in the Oval Office on Tuesday as “Democrat delays” because Senate Democrats have declined to support the House Republican-passed spending bill.

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