CLEVELAND — News 5 continues to track the major travel troubles and widespread fallout at airports across the country.
The government shutdown is directly impacting air travel—creating a ripple effect of problems.
It comes as the FAA is reducing air traffic by 4% at the nation's busiest hubs beginning at 6 a.m. Friday.
The reductions are happening at 40 airports, including New York, Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles and Detroit.
News 5 captured extremely long lines at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport on Friday morning.
Travelers told News 5 this was the highest volume of traffic at the airport they had seen since the pandemic.
While the air traffic reductions kick in today, Cleveland Hopkins is not reporting any major flight cancellations yet.
However, travelers say wait times have tripled and quadrupled, surpassing holiday levels during the early morning hours.
Some travelers say the ongoing situation has created an additional level of anxiety, and they're getting here earlier than normal to avoid any issues.
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport posted on social media the following message:
"While CLE is not currently included on the FAA’s preliminary list of airports to be impacted by air traffic capacity reductions, airline schedules elsewhere may still affect flights here. We strongly encourage all travelers to remain diligent by checking flight status directly with their airline and reviewing current TSA Security Checkpoint wait times at CLE AIRPORT We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time."
FlightAware is currently reporting 815 cancellations in and out of the United States and 500 delays so far.
Today officially marks day 38 of the government shutdown.
The FAA worked with the Department of Transportation and airlines to determine how to reduce air traffic.
However, ABC News reports that airlines were given little notice because the FAA initially declined to name the affected airports.
The FAA has since provided a gradual timeline of reductions.
Here's the breakdown so far:
- Up to 4% flight reductions beginning Nov. 7
- Up to 6% flight reductions by Nov. 11.
- Up to 8% flight reductions by Nov. 13.
- Up to 10% flight reductions by Nov. 14.
Officials say they were forced to make this move due to the government shutdown, a shortage of air traffic controllers, and overall safety concerns.
Today marks Day 38 of the government shutdown, and air traffic controllers and TSA agents have been working without pay.
Experts say there are ongoing fears that the longer this situation continues, the more workers will call off sick.
Officials say it's creating inevitable staffing shortages in a stressed workforce, coupled with safety concerns in the skies.
Experts say travelers should arrive early.
"Be careful if you're planning on coming from one of these major hub areas or going to for a connection—you very well may be delayed or your flight may be canceled. You may have to make alternative plans or go at a later time. So, those are some of the things I think people are gonna be facing," Jason Lorenzon, Assistant Professor of Aeronautics, Kent State University, said.
At Cleveland Hopkins, travelers say the most stressful part of travel has been getting through the longer-than-usual TSA lines.
"As we go into this weekend give yourself enough time getting to the airport, dealing with TSA. Expect that you are going to be delayed, expect that you may not get to your destination. But as you go through this process --be very kind to each other, be kind to the TSA workers and also to the people who aren't getting paid—you won't see ATC," Lorenzon said.
For an active list of flight delays and cancellations at Cleveland Hopkins, CLICK HERE.
