Most major US airports are among 40 targeted by shutdown

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

FAA will cut 10% of flights at 40 high-volume U.S. airports .

Flight reductions aim to ease strain on unpaid air traffic controllers .

Up to 1,800 flights and 268,000 seats could be affected.

Airlines offer refunds; travelers advised to book backup tickets.

Airports in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago along with hubs across the U.S. are among the 40 that will see flights cut starting Friday due to the government shutdown , according to a list distributed to the airlines and obtained by The Associated Press.

The Federal Aviation Administration announced Wednesday that it would reduce air traffic by 10% across 40 “high-volume” markets to maintain travel safety as air traffic controllers exhibit signs of strain during the ongoing government shutdown.

The affected