US President Donald Trump threatened Monday to dock pay of air traffic controllers he accused of shirking their “patriotic” duty, while their union decried being used as “political pawns” during the government shutdown.

The statements highlighted the mounting strains on the aviation industry as the record-long shutdown hits day 41, though a compromise bill advancing in Congress was raising hopes of an imminent resolution.

Thousands more trips involving US airports were canceled or delayed Monday after nearly 3,000 were cut a day earlier, according to tracking website FlightAware.

The Trump administration last week ordered 10-percent reductions in flights at dozens of airports, including some of the nation’s busiest, due to concerns that staffing strains could threaten safety.

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