ATLANTA – Starting Friday, travelers across the nation will experience significant shifts at airports as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implements a new directive. High-traffic airports, including Atlanta’s renowned Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, will be required to reduce their flight schedules by up to 10 percent.

This mandate comes in response to the ongoing federal government shutdown, which has left many air traffic controllers and FAA personnel working without compensation. The FAA asserts that these temporary flight reductions are necessary to maintain safety and alleviate congestion amidst these staffing shortages.

For passengers, this development could result in fewer available flights, with increased chances of delays or cancellations, particularly as the Thanksgiving travel season looms.

Jennifer Wu, a traveler headed to San Francisco from Atlanta, advises, “Stay updated on airport wait times and heed your airline’s communications. Be prepared to adjust your plans. Remember to be patient and considerate with TSA employees — everyone is navigating this situation together.”

“Keep an eye on the airport wait time, keep an eye on what your airline is telling you, and be ready to make changes,” said Jennifer Wu, who was flying out of Atlanta to San Francisco. “Take a deep breath and be kind to TSA employees — we’re all just trying to get through this.”

Airport officials say Hartsfield-Jackson handles around 2,200 flights and 290,000 passengers daily, which means more than 200 flights could be canceled each day once the FAA cuts take effect.

Some passengers say they’re already planning ahead.

“I would just say get to the airports early,” said Kayla Sanders, traveling from Atlanta to Chicago. “Everything just seemed really backlogged the last time we flew.”

Airlines, including Delta and American, say passengers can change flights without penalties. Delta told Atlanta News First it plans to comply with the FAA’s order and will try to minimize disruptions, particularly for domestic routes.

“Definitely concerns,” said Kern McGinley, who traveled from Anchorage. “My son finishes basic training at Fort Benning tomorrow, and we’re worried about missing his graduation.”

In a statement, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport said it is aware of the FAA’s flight reductions and is taking steps to keep operations running smoothly.

“We are preparing to activate measures to ensure that passengers who may be affected by the FAA flight reductions continue to have an optimal experience,” airport officials said.

The FAA, Delta Air Lines, and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association declined to comment further on the impact of the changes.