By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said on Friday it was delaying flights at eight airports including in Atlanta, San Francisco, Houston, Washington and Newark, citing widespread air traffic staffing issues as controllers have not been paid during the government shutdown.

The FAA said it has staffing shortages at 10 locations across the country, which could potentially result in delays at more airports.

The agency has separately required airlines to cancel 4% of flights at 40 high-volume airports to address air traffic control staffing — or more than 700 flights in total.

Under FAA ground delay programs, flights are being delayed by an average of 83 minutes at Reagan Washington National, 66 minutes at San Francisco, 52 minutes at Newark,

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