Air traffic control shortages add to U.S. flight delays

� The government shutdown is exacerbating concerns about the strain on air traffic controllers, a shortage of whom has vexed airline executives for years.

� A shortfall of already-thin air traffic control staffing this week had prompted the FAA to slow or halt arrivals in Burbank, California, and Nashville, Tennessee, among others.

� About 10,000 flights were delayed on Monday and Tuesday, but disruptions dropped on Wednesday to just more than 1,900.