Bay Area airports to see up to 10% reduction in flights due to government shutdown

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — Flight cancellations are accelerating as U.S. airlines comply with a government order to cut flights because of the shutdown.

Flights at 40 of the busiest airports including Oakland International Airport and San Francisco International Airport, will be cut.

The official FAA order regarding the flight reduction was made public late Thursday. It will happen in phases. Starting Friday, 4% of the flights at certain airports will be canceled. It’ll ramp up to 6 percent. And then, next Friday, 10% of the flights will be cut.

Many people flying out of Bay Area airports often expect crowds and long lines, but it’s about to get even crazier.

Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport and San Francisco International Airport are expected to cut 10% of their flights with reductions starting to ramp up on Friday.

MORE: FAA to cut thousands of flights a day starting Friday due to shutdown: List of airports here

Many travelers are bracing for delays and cancellations.

In Oakland, Eric Caro was heading to Las Vegas for a work conference. He arrived early because of the news.

“It’s a little worrisome. Cause like I said, I got here three hours early,” said Caro.

At SFO, nursing school student Kennedy Davis was heading to homecoming in New Orleans. She decided to arrive early because she didn’t want to take any chances.

“I’m a little paranoid. I got to the airport more than four hours before my flight just to make sure I didn’t miss it or get stuck in any TSA line,” said Kennedy Davis, a Bay Area resident.

MORE: Traveler rights to airline refunds amid government shutdown delays, cancellations

Kennedy has heard about all sorts of delays.

“I heard that in Houston, the line for TSA took up over three hours. So just in case,” said Kennedy.

Since the government shutdown started 13,000 air traffic controllers have gone without pay.

Some have called out sick due to financial pressures. To make sure air travel remains safe, the FAA is cutting flights.

“I feel sort of disgusted that this is even happening to begin with,” said Erika Ozeki, a Bay Area resident.

At SFO, A 10% reduction in flights mean about 110 flights each day are expected to be cut.

MORE: The government shutdown is putting a renewed spotlight on the cracks in the US aviation system

“I am a little worried that we’re going to have a hard time flying back because we are flying out of Newark and into SFO on Monday,” said Cynthia Ozeki, a Bay Area resident.

At Oakland Airport, the 10% flight reduction could mean 10 flights could be cancelled every day.

“I was planning to fly for Thanksgiving. Not going to do that anymore,” said Tim Williams, a Livermore resident.

“I’m a little worried about it for sure. I have a big trip in a couple of weeks overseas,” said Caro.

In the South Bay, San Jose Mineta international airport says “operations will continue as normal. But, travelers there could still see residual delays.

American, Delta, United – they’re all cancelling hundreds of flights a day. The biggest tip from airlines — download your their app so you get notified and can see how you have been rebooked.