The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed on Wednesday an impending 10% reduction in air traffic across 40 major markets, set to commence Friday morning if the government shutdown persists. This adjustment is part of the FAA’s strategy to manage the increasing strain on air traffic controllers.

Specifics about which markets will see these reductions were not immediately disclosed by the agency. However, the FAA emphasized that the decision stems from data-driven analyses aimed at easing the burden on air traffic controllers, who are currently working without pay. The shutdown has led to some controllers calling out sick, further exacerbating delays nationwide. This reduction is anticipated to affect not only commercial flights but also private and space travel.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy acknowledged the likelihood of further disruptions, cautioning travelers to expect possible frustrations. “We are collaborating with airlines to mitigate passenger inconveniences, but ultimately, our primary responsibility remains the safety of our airspace,” he stated.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford highlighted the urgency of the situation, pointing out that the agency cannot afford to wait for issues to escalate before taking action. “The shutdown is placing significant pressure on staffing, and it cannot be overlooked,” Bedford remarked.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the agency is not going to wait for a problem to act, saying the shutdown is causing staffing pressures and “we can’t ignore it.”

Bedford and Duffy said they will meet later Wednesday with airline leaders to figure out how to safely implement the reduction.

More information on which airports will be impacted was expected to be released on Thursday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.