Gov’t shutdown forces FAA to reduce flights nationwide

Starting today, flights at the nation’s 40 busiest airports are being reduced because of the government shutdown. The Federal Aviation Administration is reducing air traffic to maintain safety, as air traffic controllers go unpaid and show signs of strain during the shutdown. Flight reductions are starting at 4 percent and will increase by one percent a day up to 10 percent next week. Airlines say they will try to minimize the impact on travelers, but the cuts could affect up to a quarter of a million passengers a day.