US House panel votes to pay air traffic controllers during future government shutdowns

A U.S. House of Representatives committee on Thursday voted unanimously to approve legislation aiming to prevent aviation disruptions during government shutdowns by ensuring air traffic controllers and other key workers are paid.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee also approved a separate bill that would require the Federal Aviation Administration to approve supersonic jet transport by April 2027 if certain conditions are met.

Major airlines strongly backed the air traffic control pay legislation, noting last month that the 43-day U.S. government shutdown and government-imposed flight cuts disrupted 6 million passengers and 50,000 flights because of rising air traffic controller absences.