Hundreds of flights cut as US shutdown drags on

CONGRESSIONAL PARALYSIS OVER FEDERAL BUDGET

- Agencies

WASHINGTON: Hundreds of flights were cancelled across the United States on Friday after the Trump administration ordered reductions to ease strain on air traffic controllers working without pay amid congressional paralysis over the federal budget.

The 40 airports selected by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for reductions span more than two dozen states and include hubs such as Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami and Newark.

With Republicans and Democrats in a bitter standoff over spending priorities, including healthcare, Congress has ground to a standstill, leaving the entire federal funding spigot closed.

Vast numbers of government employees, including vital airport staff, are either working without pay or furloughed at home, waiting for the now nearly six-week crisis to end.