WASHINGTON, Nov 4 (Reuters) - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said on Friday it would partially approve a request by JetBlue Airways (JBLU.O) to waive minimum flight requirements at New York-area airports John F. Kennedy International and Newark Liberty International. The decision allows JetBlue to hold on to valuable flight rights at some of the most congested U.S. airports. JetBlue sought the waiver in July, saying its "workforce and flight operations are under extraordinary strain, leaving little margin for operational challenges caused by airport construction, (air traffic control) delays and weather," the FAA said. The relief, which runs retroactively through Oct. 29, will allow JetBlue to hold on to some slots, which are takeoff and landing authorizations. Delta had asked the FAA to waive minimum slot requirements because of issues including New York airport construction, significant crew sick time, severe weather and air traffic control delays and cancellations.

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