The FAA announced it is cutting air traffic by 10% at 40 high traffic airports across the country. The agency says it is a proactive move to keep passengers safe. NBC News’ Emilie Ikeda reports.

Flight reductions will begin on Friday. The announcement comes as the government shutdown reaches day 36, making it the longest in U.S. history.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it was ordering traffic to be reduced by 10% at 40 major airports while air-traffic controllers work without pay during the government shutdown. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the reduction,

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Wednesday the Federal Aviation Administration will cut flights by 10 percent at 40 high-traffic airports starting Friday due to constraints on the air traffic control workforce caused by the partial government shutdown.

The Federal Aviation Administration says it plans to reduce air traffic by 10% across 40 “high-volume” markets beginning Friday morning to maintain safety during the ongoing government shutdown

The Federal Aviation Administration will reduce flight capacity by 10% at 40 major airports across the country, officials announced during a press conference on Wednesday.

Flight capacity will be cut 10% across the country, as air traffic controllers report experiencing fatigue, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.

The U.S. transportation secretary says the move is an effort to relieve unpaid air-traffic controllers.