DENVER (KKTV) - The Denver International Airport (DIA) said it submitted a request to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Wednesday, asking if the airport can use its own funds to pay air traffic controllers working at DIA.

This comes as the government shutdown has become the longest in U.S. history.

The airport said it will also request reimbursement from the federal government for covering wages for the air traffic controllers once the shutdown ends.

DIA CEO Phil Washington said that staffing issues are already prevalent at numerous airports across the country, and federal employees, especially air traffic controllers, are being stressed unnecessarily.

“As part of our airport family, it’s our hope that we can reduce the hardship on them by covering their wages during the shu

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