July 23 (Reuters) - The Federal Aviation Administration

agreed on Wednesday to extend cuts to minimum flight

requirements at congested New York City airports through October

2026, citing air traffic controller staffing shortages.

Under minimum flight requirements, airlines can lose their

takeoff and landing slots at congested airports if they do not

use them at least 80% of the time. The FAA's waiver allows

airlines to fly 10% fewer flights.

The FAA has previously issued a series of waivers to address

the staffing issues at JFK and LaGuardia.