WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The head of a trade group representing major U.S. airlines told Reuters on Wednesday carriers are beginning to see a drop-off in passenger bookings as a government shutdown hit a record 36th day on Wednesday.

“We started seeing as an industry pull back on folks booking their travel plans just over a week ago and it’s growing a little bit every day,” said Chris Sununu, who heads Airlines for America that represents American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways and other major carriers, adding carriers are not seeing a jump in cancellations.

“We’re trying to encourage people to stick with their bookings, stick with their travel plans.”

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chris Reese)

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