Major airlines are providing meals and support to unpaid air traffic controllers and TSA officers during the federal government shutdown.

Two United Airlines aircraft collided on the taxiway at New York’s LaGuardia Airport Friday evening, marking the latest safety incident as aviation operations strain under severe air traffic controller shortages caused by the ongoing government

A surge in callouts among air traffic controllers "is straining staffing levels" at multiple airports across the U.S. -- including in the New York City area where 80% of controllers are absent, the Federal Aviation Administration said Friday evening.

Air traffic controllers press lawmakers to end government shutdown, saying unpaid workers and staffing shortages are putting aviation safety at risk.

Food assistance, health care costs, air travel, and military pay all face major strain if the shutdown extends beyond this week.

It's putting stress on people. It's not fair to those people. It's also putting stress on the economy,” United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the federal government will "stop traffic" if it becomes a safety issue, adding, "We're not going to let that happen."