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The reductions will take effect on Friday, though Duffy declined to say which specific areas or flights would be impacted. The reduction in flights will last until the absenteeism issue is abated, he said, adding that additional steps could be implemented if the situation worsens.

Air traffic controllers, like hundreds of thousands of federal employees working during the shutdown, missed a full paycheck last week. Duffy said he heard from the workforce that most employees could weather one missed paycheck, but "virtually all" would be significantly impacted if they had to miss a second. The employees are guaranteed back pay when the government reopens.