WASHINGTON, Nov 5 (Reuters) - The U.S. Transportation

Department plans to begin flight cuts at 4% on Friday at 40

high-volume airports in response to safety concerns about air

traffic control staffing issues as a government shutdown hits

its 36th day, four sources told Reuters.

The Federal Aviation Administration told airlines on a call

the planned cuts would start at 4% Friday, rise to 5% Saturday

and 6% Sunday before hitting 10% next week.

The FAA plans to exempt international flights from the cuts

but told airlines it was making drastic cuts in general aviation

flights at those major airports.

USDOT and FAA did not immediately comment.