NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The recent government shutdown has severely impacted air travel, with flight delays becoming a daily reality for passengers.

While the shutdown forced air traffic controllers to work without pay, leading many to call out sick, aviation experts warn that reopening the federal government may not immediately solve the underlying staffing crisis.

Robert Fowler is an aerospace professor at Middle Tennessee State University. We asked Professor Fowler if ending the federal government shutdown would bring relief to frustrated travelers.

"The shortage is a long-term problem," Fowler said. "Hopefully they get retroactive pay. If they do, I believe the acute problems will probably resolve by themselves but we'll still be faced with a long-term issue of an air traffic shor

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