FAA to cut flights if no deal

The FAA will pare back flights at busy airports as early as Friday if no shutdown deal emerges, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said. About 10% of air traffic at 40 airports would be cut, with specifics still pending, as the agency meets airlines to coordinate a “prescriptive” and “surgical” plan. Officials cited mounting staffing shortages among unpaid air traffic controllers during the shutdown, contributing to more delays and cancelations. More than 400 shortages have been logged. Restrictions would also extend to space launches and some small-aircraft operations.