Washington: US airlines are bracing for another week of widespread travel disruptions even as the Senate advances legislation to end the 41-day government shutdown. More than 1,500 flights, around 5.5 per cent of scheduled services, were cancelled, according to flight tracking data.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the cancellations and schedule reductions were necessary to ease pressure on air traffic controllers, many of whom have been working without pay for over a month. The agency expects flight reductions to increase through the week, reaching 6 per cent on Tuesday, 8 per cent on Thursday, and up to 10 per cent by Friday.

Last weekend saw around 5,000 flights cancelled nationwide as new restrictions took effect at major airports, aviation analytics firm Cirium reported. Sunday recorded the highest level of disruption, with 10 per cent of all scheduled flights scrapped, the fourth-worst day for cancellations in the US this year.

US President Donald Trump on Monday said controllers who failed to report to work would be “docked”, though he did not clarify how the penalty would be applied. He also announced plans to recommend $10,000 bonuses for air traffic controllers who continued working throughout the shutdown.

“All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!!! Anyone who doesn't will be substantially "docked." For those Air Traffic Controllers who were GREAT PATRIOTS, and didn't take ANY TIME OFF for the "Democrat Shutdown Hoax," I will be recommending a BONUS of $10,000 per person for distinguished service to our Country. For those that did nothing but complain, and took time off, even though everyone knew they would be paid, IN FULL, shortly into the future, I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU," Trump wrote on Social.

The move came just hours after an appeals court declined to block a lower court’s ruling requiring the government to fully finance benefits for around 42 million Americans dependent on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

In a related development, a judge in Massachusetts granted a temporary stay sought by more than two dozen states, blocking the federal government from implementing the funding cuts.

The bipartisan legislation introduced in the Senate aims to reinstate federal employees dismissed during the shutdown and ensure full food stamp funding through the 2025 fiscal year.

On Sunday, a group of eight Democratic senators broke ranks with their party and voted to reopen the federal government.

IANS