U.S. federal government shutdown leads to flight delays

A plane takes off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, on Oct. 10, 2025. The U.S. federal government shutdown has led to flight delays, as essential employees such as air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are working without pay. That has led to staff shortages. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Passengers check in at an American Airlines' counter at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, on Oct. 10, 2025. The U.S. federal government shutdown has led to flight delays, as essential employees such as air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are working without pay. That has led to staff shortages. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Passengers check in at an American Airlines' counter at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, on Oct. 10, 2025. The U.S. federal government shutdown has led to flight delays, as essential employees such as air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are working without pay. That has led to staff shortages. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

A man checks on a flight information display board at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, on Oct. 10, 2025. The U.S. federal government shutdown has led to flight delays, as essential employees such as air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are working without pay. That has led to staff shortages. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

A man makes a phone call at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, on Oct. 10, 2025. The U.S. federal government shutdown has led to flight delays, as essential employees such as air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are working without pay. That has led to staff shortages. (Xinhua/Li Rui)