Follow live updates as flight reductions begin today at 40 high-traffic airports in what officials have described as a "proactive" effort to alleviate pressure points.

As many as 1,800 flights could be affected on Friday alone, according to Cirium, an aviation-data provider. The final figure will depend on which airports are targeted. The FAA estimates that it handles an average of more than 44,000 flights a day.

Airlines are canceling hundreds of flights to comply with the FAA's order. But there are still questions about the plan, which the agency says will keep the skies safe during the government shutdown.

"This is about where’s the pressure and how do we alleviate the pressure," Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said.

Beginning next week, daytime rocket launches are all officially scrubbed thanks to the government shutdown.

The federal government shutdown, now in its 38th day, prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to issue a temporary emergency order Thursday prohibiting commercial rocket launches from occurring during “peak hours” of air traffic.

At International Airport, things were still running smoothly on the first day of reductions. However, while isn't among the 40 airports directly affected, flights departing from here are heading to destinations that are.

Orlando International Airport is one of 40 airports having to reduce flights by ten percent because of the government shutdown.