The US government said on Wednesday it will cut air traffic by 10 percent across 40 of the nation’s busiest markets beginning Friday morning, in an effort to maintain safety during the ongoing government shutdown.

The move could disrupt thousands of flights nationwide. The air system handles more than 44,000 flights a day, from passenger jets to cargo and private planes.

Air traffic controllers have been working without pay since October 1, and increasing absences have left shifts short-staffed, leading to mounting flight delays, according to the news agency Associated Press.

“We can’t ignore it,” said Bryan Bedford, who leads the agency overseeing air traffic operations. “We will not wait for a crisis to act.”

Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said they will meet airl

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