Just ahead of the holiday travel season, the Federal Aviation Administration has announced that it will reduce air traffic by 10% across 40 major U.S. airports due to the lingering federal government shutdown, which is impacting air traffic controllers.

“I’m not aware in my 35-year history in the aviation market where we’ve had a situation where we’re taking these kinds of measures,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford at a news conference on Wednesday.

Air traffic controllers have been working unpaid since the shutdown began Oct. 1. Most work mandatory overtime six days a week, leaving little time for side jobs to help cover bills and other expenses unless they call out.

The shutdown is putting unnecessary strain on the system and “forcing difficult operational decisions that disrupt

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