Denver Air will continue operating amid government shutdown: ‘Our schedule is not going to change at all’

JACKSON, Tenn. — The government shutdown is still continuing and there are many concerns on how this shutdown will affect our community.

The federal government has been on a shutdown for almost an entire week and this comes from lawmakers failing to pass a funding bill by October 1.

Therefore all non-essential services have been suspended and several federal employees and active-duty service members will work without pay.

Currently, there have been many airport delays across the country due to this issue and air traffic controllers are categorized as essential workers. Since these employees are considered essential, they have been working during the shutdown but are not being paid.

However, at the Jackson Regional Airport, the private company Denver Air Connection will still continue to operate.

“Our schedule is not going to change at all. We will still have our daily flight to and from Chicago and to and from Atlanta. We are not looking at any time changes at all based on this,” said Tonya Ruhsenberger, Communications and Community Engagement Manager for Denver Air Connection.

The Department of Transportation has stated that in an event of a prolonged government shutdown, appropriations for the essential air service program could run out by October 12.

However, Ruhsenberger continues to express that air travel is important to small communities and the air line will still serve Jackson after October 12 if the government continues to be shut down.

“We recognize how vital these air services are to rural communities and we are going to continue to serve the communities despite any short falls or lapse in funding,” said Ruhsenberger.

There are also growing concerns about federally funded programs and how individuals who receive this funding will be affected.

Social security payments will continue to be dispersed however some services have been suspended.

Meanwhile Medicare and Medicaid will also continue for existing patients because they are mandatory programs.

There is currently no update on when voting will occur for passing the funding bill.

However there are still hopes for potential negotiations between the lawmakers to resolve the shutdown.

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