SAN FRANCISCO — Flight delays and cancellations are hitting 40 major airports across the country as the longest government shutdown in history continues.

The FAA imposed the flight reductions on Friday, saying they would relieve pressure on air traffic controllers who are working without pay and facing increasing shortages as the shutdown drags on.

U.S. airlines began canceling flights nationwide on Thursday due to the FAA's order. Hundreds of flights scheduled for Friday were already cut, and the number of cancellations climbed throughout Thursday afternoon.

More than 815 flights have been called off nationwide on Friday morning, according to FlightAware. Delta Air Lines said it would scratch roughly 170 flights Friday, and American Airlines planned to cut 220 a day through Monday.

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