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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShutterstock\/Leonard Zhukovsky<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShutterstock\/Leonard Zhukovsky<\/p>\n
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The ongoing government shutdown \u2014 now officially the longest in U.S. history \u2014 is taking a toll on air travel. The Federal Aviation Administration announced Wednesday that it would reduce flight capacity by 10% at 40 of the nation\u2019s busiest airports to ensure flight safety and ease pressure on air traffic controllers, who have been working without pay since October 1. In a list obtained by The Associated Press<\/a>, Miami International Airport (MIA) is among those affected, along with Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL).<\/p>\n The reduction will start to take effect as early as Friday, impacting thousands of flights. Travelers should check with their airlines to see if their flight has been affected, and the FAA recommends viewing real-time updates on its National Airspace System here<\/a>.<\/p>\n In addition to South Florida, other major airports facing these cuts include Tampa International and Orlando International airports.<\/p>\n How to prepare for potential flight delays at MIA and FLL <\/p>\n Chad Kendall, an associate professor and FAA chief instructor at Denver\u2019s Metropolitan State University, shared the following tips with Forbes<\/a> on travelers can mitigate the impacts of shutdown-related delays:<\/p>\n Book the earliest flight of the day \u2013 Flights departing after 9 a.m. are more likely to be delayed, and early departures offer more rebooking options. Avoid layovers if possible \u2013 Every stop is an opportunity for something to go wrong. Insure your trip \u2013 Consider a \u201cCancel for Any Reason,\u201d or CFAR, policy. Arrive extremely early \u2013 Plan to arrive significantly earlier than the usual recommendation of two or three hours. Monitor your flights \u2013 Check your airline\u2019s app for instant notifications about gate changes, delays and cancellations. <\/p>\n If you\u2019re traveling through MIA, you can track your flight status here<\/a>. If you have your flight number and want to search by flight or route, this other MIA tracker<\/a> can be easier in helping you find the information you\u2019re looking for.<\/p>\n