By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The head of a U.S. airline trade group urged an end to the 15-day government shutdown, citing concerns about rising pressure faced by air traffic controllers working without pay.

“It’s got to stop like now, because every day that goes by, the pressures get higher, the risks get higher,” Chris Sununu, CEO of Airlines for America, a major trade group representing carriers American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, said in an interview. “You’re getting closer and closer to those air traffic controllers just feeling financial pressures.”

Aviation groups are growing more worried about the potential impact of a longer government shutdown after mounting sick calls by controllers have resulted in thousands of delays since the shutdown began

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