The state Department of Transportation has offered to advance the full salaries and benefits of Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration airport screeners assigned to Hawaii during the federal funding lapse in a bid to avoid a 10% cut to air traffic that could severely impact the state’s economy and public safety.

In a letter sent Thursday to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, state DOT Director Ed Sniffen requested a waiver from the FAA’s planned reductions, which include Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu among 40 high-traffic airports facing cuts.

The FAA’s phased mandate started Friday with a 4% reduction in operations, increasing to 6% by Tuesday, 8% by Thursday and 10% by Nov. 14. International flights

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