WASHINGTON, Oct 15 (Reuters) - The head of a U.S.

airline trade group urged an end to the 15-day government

shutdown, citing concerns about rising pressure faced by air

traffic controllers who are working without pay.

"It's got to stop like now, because every day that goes by,

the pressures get higher, the risks get higher," Chris Sununu,

the CEO of Airlines for America, a major trade group

representing carriers American Airlines ( AAL ), Delta Air Lines ( DAL )

and United Airlines, said in an interview.

"You're getting closer and closer to those air traffic

controllers just feeling financial pressures."