LOADING ERROR LOADINGWASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday that it was taking the extraordinary step of reducing air traffic by 10% across 40 “high-volume” markets beginning Friday morning to maintain travel safety as air traffic controllers exhibit signs of strain during the ongoing government shutdown. Air traffic controllers have been working unpaid since the shutdown began Oct. 1, and most have been on duty six days a week while putting in mandatory overtime. Secretary Duffy and FAA Administrator Bedford spoke of the need to cut thousands of flights due to lack of FAA staffing at airports because of the ongoing government shutdown. Last weekend saw some of the worst staffing shortages of the shutdown, which became the longest on record early Wednesday. From Friday to Sunday evening, at least 39 different air traffic control facilities announced there was some potential for limited staffing, according to an Associated Press analysis of operations plans sent through the Air Traffic Control System Command Center system.
