Traveler discomfort across the Southland and the nation Saturday, with flight delays and cancellations imposed by the U.S. Department of Transportation due to staffing issues among air-traffic controllers amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said on Friday it was delaying flights at eight airports including in Atlanta,​ San Francisco, Houston, Washington and Newark, citing widespread air traffic ‌staffing issues as controllers have not been paid during the government shutdown.

The Federal Aviation Administration will temporarily limit when commercial rockets can launch, due to the ongoing government shutdown.

U.S. Transportation Department Secretary Sean Duffy also said he "can't guarantee" flights will be on time as government shutdown drags on.

Government shutdown affects air traffic controllers, leading to 10% reduction in flights at Indianapolis and 39 other airports.

The Trump administration asked a U. appeals court on Monday to reject Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico's bid to halt an order forcing them to unwind a venture that lets the carriers coordinate scheduling,

DOT background checks are mandatory for commercial drivers and include driving record reviews, drug/alcohol testing, employment verification and physical exams.

Judge John McConnell previously issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Transportation Department directive.