The Federal Aviation Administration‘s unprecedented order to scale back flights nationwide because of the record-long government shutdown is set to take effect Friday morning. The three major airports in the Washington,

The Federal Aviation Administration’s unprecedented order to reduce flights nationwide amid the record-long government shutdown is taking effect Friday morning.

The Federal Aviation Administration plans to cut flights by 10 percent at 40 airports—including Reagan National, Dulles, and BWI—starting Nov. 7 if the government shutdown continues. The move aims to ease strain on unpaid air traffic controllers but is expected to cause widespread delays and cancellations in the Washington area and nationwide.

The Transportation Secretary has ordered a 10% cut in flights at major airports due to air traffic safety concerns.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said on Friday it was delaying flights at eight airports including in Atlanta, San Francisco, Houston, Washington and Newark, citing widespread air traffic staffing issues as controllers have not been paid during the government shutdown.

Air traffic control audio shows the communication between the tower and pilots during the bomb threat. The ground stop contributed to flight delays.