LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Flight delays, strained staffing and drops in tourism spending are surfacing nationwide as the federal government shutdown continues, and long-time travel professionals in Arkansas say the situation is worsening.

The U.S. Travel Association estimates the industry has already lost more than $1.7 billion. TSA agents and air traffic controllers are reporting to work in smaller numbers as many look for ways to make ends meet without guaranteed pay.

Erma Bridges, who has run a travel agency in Little Rock for 40 years, says that financial strain is showing up in airports.

“But now that they’re not getting paid, they’re not coming to work,” she said.

At Clinton National Airport, operations haven’t ground to a halt, but staffing levels are unpredictable, especially at airl

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