The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it will cut air traffic by 10% across 40 major U.S. airports starting Friday morning, as the ongoing government shutdown forces the agency to take emergency measures to preserve safety standards.

The reductions will affect airports in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Miami, Dallas, Denver, Orlando, San Francisco, and dozens of other high-volume markets. The decision follows weeks of growing strain on air traffic controllers, who have been working without pay since the shutdown began and have increasingly reported exhaustion and absenteeism.

According to a list obtained by the Associated Press, the FAA’s move aims to “relieve pressure on critical personnel and ensure operational safety” as the agency faces staffing shortages. The cuts come amid a broader standoff between President Donald Trump’s administration and Congress, with no resolution in sight to restore government funding.

Passengers can expect fewer flights, longer delays, and widespread schedule disruptions starting this weekend. Airlines have begun notifying affected travelers and are working to rearrange flight schedules to minimize the impact, though significant inconvenience appears inevitable.

The U.S. Travel Association condemned the situation, warning that the decision exposes the urgent need to end the political impasse. “All government shutdowns are irresponsible, and this decision underscores the urgent need to reopen the government,” said Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the association. “The shutdown is putting unnecessary strain on the system, forcing difficult operational decisions that disrupt travel and damage confidence in the U.S. air travel experience.”

The FAA’s cuts mark one of the most visible consequences of the government shutdown to date, affecting millions of travelers and threatening to ripple through an already strained national transportation system. With another missed paycheck looming for federal employees, pressure continues to mount on Washington to resolve the stalemate before the travel chaos worsens.