WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration will reduce air traffic by 10% at many busy airports, the agency said Wednesday, in a move intended to keep the nation's airspace safe during the government shutdown .

The FAA plans to reduce air traffic in 40 "high-volume markets" beginning on Friday. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford told reporters the agency wants to reduce the pressure at those airports before safety is compromised.

"We just can't ignore it," Bedford said, "when the early indicators are telling us we can take action today to prevent things from deteriorating."

The FAA has already been delaying flights at some airports because of widespread staffing shortages among air traffic controllers.

The government shutdown, now in its sixth week, has taken a growing toll on

See Full Page