The ongoing US federal government shutdown could stop many Americans returning home for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. 

The shutdown's now the longest in US history. 

Thousands of air traffic controllers and security screeners aren't being paid for their work, prompting a sharp drop in flights across the country. 

US Correspondent Richard Arnold told Mike Hosking that more than 5000 flights around the country were delayed in the past 24 hours.  

He says air traffic controllers are reportedly resigning every day due to the prolonged nature of the shutdowns.  

LISTEN ABOVE