DENVER — Officials at Denver International Airport want to start paying federal air traffic controllers out of their own budget, while the federal government remains stuck in the longest shutdown in U.S. history.

DIA officials submitted a request on Wednesday, seeking permission from the Federal Aviation Administration to use airport revenue to temporarily fund wages for air traffic controllers.

DEN CEO Phil Washington said the airport plans to seek federal reimbursement once the shutdown ends.

“As part of our airport family, it’s our hope that we can reduce the hardship on them by covering their wages during the shutdown, with reimbursement by the FAA later. We would love to be able to do more and provide wage support for all the federal workers at DEN, as they are all critical to our

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