ORLANDO, Fla. – With travel impacts expected to begin hitting airports Friday, passengers at Orlando International Airport are already paying close attention to their flight statuses.
According to FlightAware, nearly two dozen flights scheduled for Friday have already been canceled, and more delays are expected as federal operations slow down amid the looming government shutdown.
On Thursday night, travelers arriving from New Jersey said they were worried about making it back home after their vacation.
“We have a flight back… it is concerning,” one traveler said. “I think the shutdown has been long overdue between Republicans and Democrats. They need to come up with something and get it done because I want to make sure I get home on Monday. I have work the next day. We have responsibilities, pets, other family, so it’s kind of scary.”
Others at MCO were flying for the first time in years.
“Today is my very first time flying anything,” one passenger said. “I haven’t flown in 20 years.”
[BELOW: MCO among 40 airports on FAA flight reduction list]
Andrew and Ashley Phillips, visiting from Montana before heading out on a cruise, said they were keeping an eye on the situation.
“I’m sure there are going to be a few times where we pay closer attention to it,” Andrew Phillips said. “It’s definitely a concern because we came all the way from Montana, so if we couldn’t get on our plane, we’re kind of stuck.”
Some travelers were already feeling the impacts on Thursday night. Avery Rose from Kansas City said she was trying to find a place to stay after her flight to New Jersey was canceled.
“We’re basically calling each one of them, and every single one has been sold out,” she said. “That scares me a lot, especially because I don’t live here, and Orlando is expensive.”
[BELOW: MCO suffers delays over ATC shortage]
Rose said she hadn’t planned on staying in Orlando at all.
“I was planning on being in New Jersey for five days,” she said.
Others, like Vicki Carter from Charleston, West Virginia, said they were trying to stay flexible.
“I’m hoping my flight home next week will be on time,” Carter said. “If not, we’ll have to change flights. Just go with the flow.”
Even some of the youngest travelers were aware of the situation.
“We’ve heard about the government shutdown,” one child said. “The worst part of a delayed or canceled flight is being late for school.”
Several passengers arriving home to Central Florida Thursday night said they were grateful to have made it before more widespread disruptions began.
All eyes will be on the flight status boards at Orlando International Airport on Friday as more cancellations are expected to take effect.
Breaking News Alerts
Get breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox.
Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.