New Delhi, Oct. 12 -- The Federal Aviation Administration announced on Friday that air traffic control staffing shortages have caused travel delays for the fifth consecutive day, as major U.S. airlines asked passengers to remain patient amid the ongoing government shutdown.

On Friday alone, over 6,400 flights were delayed and 470 were cancelled, adding to the 22,000 delays reported since Monday, according to flight tracking site FlightAware.

Travel in the U.S. is expected to increase during the upcoming three-day Columbus Day holiday weekend.

(Developing story.)

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from MINT....