**FAA Air Traffic Control Tower at LaGuardia Stands in Spotlight Amid Government Shutdown**

The FAA Air Traffic Control tower at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in the Queens borough of New York has become a focal point during the ongoing federal government shutdown, which has strained the entire U.S. aviation industry.

Flight cancellations eased across the country on Wednesday ahead of a pivotal House vote on a funding bill that could end the longest federal government shutdown in American history. Lawmakers in the House were expected to vote around 7 p.m. ET on the bill, which had already been passed by the Senate earlier in the week.

The shutdown has once again raised concerns about air travel and intensified the burden on air traffic controllers, who have been required to work without receiving their regularly scheduled paychecks. On Wednesday alone, 811 U.S. departures were canceled.

Trump administration officials began requiring airlines to trim their schedules on Friday, citing safety risks and the mounting strain on controllers. However, these cuts were not enough to prevent further disruptions, as widespread staffing shortages and inclement weather led to a surge in cancellations and delays over the weekend.

Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian said during an interview on CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street” that the ongoing shutdown will have a financial impact on the airline, though it would not be enough to erase company profits. Bastian also warned of the possibility of another shutdown in the future and emphasized that air traffic controllers should be paid if such an event occurs.

U.S. airline shares saw a broad uptick on Wednesday prior to the House vote.

Thin staffing of air traffic controllers has become a pronounced issue since the shutdown began on October 1. According to Airlines for America, an industry group representing the largest U.S. carriers, this shortage has led to thousands of flights being slowed or canceled, disrupting travel plans for an estimated five million passengers. Reports from the controllers’ union and government officials indicate that some air traffic controllers have even been forced to take second jobs to make ends meet.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, along with major airlines, warned this week that air travel will not immediately return to normal even after the shutdown concludes. “We’re going to wait to see the data on our end before we take out the restrictions in travel, but it depends on controllers coming back to work,” Duffy stated during a press conference at Chicago O’Hare International Airport on Tuesday.

As the industry awaits the results of the House vote and a resolution to the shutdown, travelers and airline officials remain hopeful for a swift return to normal operations.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/finance/flight-cancellations-ease-with-end-to-the-shutdown-in-sight/