(NEXSTAR) – The Federal Aviation Administration announced Wednesday that it will reduce air traffic by 10% across 40 “high volume” markets starting Friday morning as long as the government shutdown continues.
The agency did not immediately say which of the 40 markets would be affected, but said the decisions were “data-based” and aimed to relieve pressure on air traffic controllers.
The agency is facing a staffing shortage due to air traffic controllers, who are working without pay, with some called to work during the shutdown, leading to delays across the country. The cuts were expected to impact commercial, private and space travel.
Transport Minister Sean Duffy said: “I expect there will be additional disruption.” “There will be frustration. We work with the airlines, and they will work with the passengers, but ultimately our only role is to keep this airspace as safe as possible.”
FAA Administrator Brian Bedford said the agency will not wait for a problem to occur to act, saying the shutdown is causing employment pressures and “we cannot ignore it.”
Bedford and Duffy said they would meet later Wednesday with airline leaders to figure out how to safely implement the reduction.
More information about which airports will be affected is expected to be released on Thursday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.