US airlines cancel 1,200 flights Tuesday as government shutdown continues

Airlines canceled nearly 1,200 flights on Tuesday. (File Photo)

Airlines canceled nearly 1,200 flights on Tuesday, the fifth consecutive day they have topped 1,000 since the government imposed mandatory flight reductions to address safety concerns.

The Federal Aviation Administration last week instructed airlines to cut 4% of daily flights starting on Friday at 40 major airports because of air traffic control staffing issues.

Reductions in flights rose to 6% on Tuesday and then hit 8% Thursday and 10% on November 14. Airlines and the FAA are in discussions about whether the cuts will be reduced as a record-setting 42-day government shutdown nears an end.