Impending government shutdown threatens FAA, Kennedy Space Center, Fairfield, and Georgians' benefits

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is facing a potential double government shutdown as the deadline to renew its authorizing law coincides with the deadline to extend federal funding. If both deadlines pass without resolution, air traffic controllers and some aviation safety inspectors would continue to work without pay, while the training of new air traffic controllers and technology upgrades would be disrupted. The FAA would also lose over $50 million per day in revenue. Although no immediate effects are expected for flights or aviation safety, the situation puts the FAA in a precarious position. Congress is currently working on a long-term bill to authorize the FAA, but disagreements over qualifications for airline pilots have caused delays. The potential shutdown could have significant impacts on the aviation industry and the U.S. travel economy.