If a spending package is not approved by congressional lawmakers for the new fiscal year — which starts at midnight Oct. 1 — a federal government shutdown may occur. Depending on the duration, the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport could feel the effects with longer lines and cancelled flights.

A shutdown of substantial length would not be welcome for the local economy, which relies heavily on tourism, an industry trying to recover from a sluggish summer. A brief shutdown, however, would have little to no effect on airport operations, according to SRQ President and CEO Rick Piccolo .

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