MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Federal Aviation Administration will reduce flights at dozens of major airports as early as Friday if no shutdown deal is reached, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Wednesday. The reduction stands to impact thousands of flights nationwide because the FAA directs more than 44,000 flights daily.

The decision to reduce air traffic comes as airports face delays due to staffing shortages. Since the start of the government shutdown — there have been more than 400 staffing shortages at FAA facilities across the US. The planned reduction across 40 "high-volume" markets Friday, the FAA said, will help maintain safety.

"When we see pressures building in these 40 markets, we just can't ignore it," said Bryan Bedford, FAA Administrator. "And we're not going to wait f

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