Air travellers rethink plans as US government shutdown causes flight delays, cancellations

The federal government shutdown is hamstringing the US travel industry, and its effects are worsening as the stalemate in Congress continues. Travellers are starting to cancel trips and avoid airports until US lawmakers find a way to reopen the government, which may not happen for several more days or weeks. That means a longer stretch of time for key workers - air traffic controllers and security screeners - to go without pay. More workers are calling in sick, leaving fewer staff to handle demand. Travel representatives are already fretting about the coming Columbus/Indigenous People's Day holiday weekend, the first since the shutdown started nine days ago on Oct 1. The stalemate coincides with peak corporate travel season at a time...