The government shutdown is now officially one week old, and it is already causing disruptions to air traffic.

Nashville Airport and the Chicago O’Hare Airport both faced major delays on Tuesday due to a shortage of air traffic controllers.

Air traffic controllers are the backbone of safe air travel. However, they are also tired and overworked due to a shortage that has been ongoing for years and is about to worsen significantly due to the government shutdown.

In the event of a government shutdown, thousands of personnel across the federal government are furloughed. Air traffic controllers are considered essential to the protection of life and property, so they are required to get back to work, albeit without pay or additional support staff.

The workers will get a reduced paychec

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