Flight delays and cancellations are piling up Saturday across the U.S. after the Federal Aviation Administration cut flights at 40 U.S. airports on Friday.

The FAA released the list of affected airports Thursday, with a focus on areas that have been struggling most with air-traffic-control staffing shortages. The list includes some of the nation’s biggest, busiest airports, including those in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and New York City.

The Federal Aviation Administration grounded all McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft on concerns the engines and its structural wing components could fail as investigations continue into the deadly United Parcel Service Inc.

McGhee Tyson, the fastest-growing major airport in the United States last year, is not on the FAA's list of airports that will reduce flights. However, that doesn't mean Knoxville passengers are immune to the increasing flight cancellations.

The ongoing shutdown means that air traffic controllers at Denver International Airport have been working without pay, with many taking second jobs to try to make ends meet. Now, Colorado lawmakers are pushing for the Federal Aviation Administration to approve the airport's emergency waiver that would allow its air traffic controllers to be paid during the shutdown.

Blue Origin says it is working with the government to secure additional launch opportunities for the upcoming New Glenn launch of a NASA Mars mission.

Airlines are reducing flights starting Friday under a new FAA directive. Here’s how United, Southwest and American are handling it.