US to cancel flights as longest government shutdown drags on

US OFFICIALS said the scheduled capacity for flights was being cut by 10% in 40 busy air traffic areas nationwide today, as the longest government shutdown drags on.

- 

Federal agencies have been grinding to a halt since Congress failed to approve funding past September 30, with some 1.4 million federal workers, from air traffic controllers to park wardens, still on enforced leave or working without pay.

"There is going to be a 10% reduction in capacity at 40 of our locations," Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told a White House news briefing this week, adding they would come into effect today.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) chief Bryan Bedford said the cuts would be at "40 high traffic environment markets".

According to a proposed list provided to CBS News, some of the nation's busiest airports in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles and New York City could be among those hit.

The Department of Transport and FAA was contacted about details on which airports would be affected.