(NEXSTAR) – The federal government shutdown, which began Oct. 1, has started to impact air travel, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy admitted, as air traffic controllers – who are working without pay – call out sick. Several major airports were experiencing delays on Wednesday, and smaller airports were at risk of losing service altogether by the end of the week.

The Essential Air Service program, which subsidizes airline service to small communities across the country, is set to run out of money soon.

“That money runs out this Sunday. So there’s many small communities across the country that will now no longer have the resources to make sure they have air service in their community,” Duffy said.

The Essential Air Service program subsidizes, when necessary, airlines to ensure there ar

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