Some of the busiest airports in the United States, including those serving New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, are bracing for significant flight reductions starting Friday due to the ongoing government shutdown. This information comes from a list shared with airlines and obtained by The Associated Press.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mandated a 10% cut in air traffic at 40 major airports nationwide. This directive affects key travel hubs such as those in Hawaii and Dallas, which are significant gateways for Australians traveling to North America.

With the deadline looming, airlines are in a rush to determine which flights to cancel, while passengers anxiously await confirmation on whether their travel plans will proceed as scheduled.

The situation is compounded by the fact that air traffic controllers have already missed one paycheck and face the prospect of missing another as the shutdown continues.

In response to staffing shortages, the FAA has occasionally delayed flights when airports or its facilities lacked sufficient controllers.

Even if the government shutdown ends this weekend, travelers should be prepared for ongoing disruptions. According to Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, the effects could linger into Thanksgiving and possibly extend to the Christmas season.

“It will take us months to come out of all the impacts that it’s causing … There were delays before the shutdown. There’s obviously delays during the shutdown. There’s going to be delays after the shutdown,” he said.