The shutdown triggered massive flight chaos: 26,000-plus delays, 7,500-plus cancellations hit major airports. Air traffic controllers work without pay as the disruption spreads.

Southwest leads in flight delays while Delta tops cancellations as government gridlock strains already understaffed FAA and creates travel nightmare.

Trump hosts Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa at White House amid government shutdown, marking first official Syrian leader visit to Washington in years.