US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Friday warned that airlines could be forced to cut up to 20 percent of flights if the ongoing government shutdown does not end soon. The warning came as US airlines scrambled to cope with unprecedented government-imposed reductions.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has instructed airlines to reduce 4 percent of flights on Friday at 40 major airports due to staffing shortages caused by the shutdown. The cuts are expected to rise to 6 percent on Tuesday and 10 percent by November 14 if the situation persists.

During the record 38-day shutdown, around 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 security screeners have been working without pay, leading to growing absenteeism. Many controllers were informed this week that they would again recei

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