The ongoing U.S. federal government shutdown has begun to ripple across international air operations, with significant delays reported at Las Américas International Airport (AILA) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Aerodom, the airport operator and a subsidiary of Vinci Airports, confirmed on Friday that the disruptions stem from staffing shortages in the U.S. air traffic control system, exacerbated by the federal shutdown. While no flight cancellations have occurred so far, delays have been observed in flights to and from various U.S. cities. Luis López, Aerodom’s corporate director, emphasized that passengers should remain in contact with their airlines for real-time updates. The situation has heightened concerns among travelers, particularly those scheduled for Friday night flights to the United States. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged the severe impact of the shutdown on air traffic control personnel, noting that absenteeism among controllers has surged. Seven major air traffic control centers, including those in Dallas-Fort Worth, Newark, and Atlanta, are operating with reduced staff, leading to significant delays. Since the shutdown began, staffing shortages have quadrupled compared to the same period last year. The financial strain on air traffic controllers, who are working without pay, has further intensified the crisis. Thousands received zero-value paychecks on October 28, fueling frustration and absenteeism. As the political deadlock in Washington persists, international airports like AILA are closely monitoring the situation, hoping to avoid widespread cancellations over the weekend.