Washington, Nov. 10 -- US airlines cancelled more than 1,000 flights on Saturday, the second day of the Federal Aviation Administration's mandate to reduce air traffic, and to ease the pressure on air traffic controllers, who have been working unpaid and under intense strain during the ongoing government shutdown.
The FAA, justifying the move, said that the reductions were necessary to ensure passenger safety, as many controllers have been working long hours and mandatory overtime without pay, reports Politico.
"This is about maintaining safety in an incredibly challenging environment," an FAA spokesperson said.
Major hubs, including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, have been among the worst affected, as some of the country's busiest a...