WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Despite hopes the federal government shutdown could end this week, air travelers in the United States are still in for a rough few days of cancellations and delays nationwide before taking to the skies gets back to normal.

The Federal Aviation Administration instructed airlines to cut 4% of daily flights starting last week at 40 major airports because of air traffic control safety concerns. Reductions in flights are mandated to reach 6% on Tuesday and then hit 10% by Friday, November 14 — and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has warned they could reach 15% to 20% if the shutdown does not end.

The government might reopen this week, if lawmakers agree to restore federal funding, but it is unclear when the flight cuts will be rescinded. On top of the mandated cuts,

See Full Page