Nashville International Airport is closing its air traffic control tower this evening because so many workers called in sick amid the government shutdown.

Flights have been delayed at several travel hubs across the country as airports are hit by absences, with controllers opting to call in sick rather than working without pay.

Nashville’s tower will close between 7pm and midnight on Tuesday night, according to CNN, which means further setbacks because pilots will be forced to contact the regional air traffic control centre.

On Monday, the control tower at California’s Hollywood Airport was forced to shut for several hours.