As the ongoing government shutdown nears its 38th day and overstressed air traffic controllers continue to work long hours with no pay, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reducing air travel at 40 major airports on Friday to ensure safety.
Pre-existing shortages in air traffic controllers, compounded by what is now the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, have led to tens of thousands of flight delays and cancellations since Oct. 1. The FAA implemented ground halts on Monday at airports in Dallas, Austin, Houston, and Washington as upward of 2,900 flights had been canceled or delayed.
