(The Hill) -- U.S. airlines are warning Congress that if the government shuts down at midnight Wednesday, flights could be delayed because air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration employees would be required to work without pay.

Airlines for America, a trade group that represents major carriers such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines, warned that furloughing tens of thousands of federal workers would mean longer wait times at airports and delayed flights.

“When federal employees who manage air traffic, inspect aircraft and secure our nation’s aviation system are furloughed or working without pay, the entire industry and millions of Americans feel the strain,” the group said in a statement reported by Reuters.

U.S. air

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