JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 Travelers, brace yourselves \u2014 flight schedules are about to get tighter. <\/p>\n
Starting Friday, the Federal Aviation Administration will cut air traffic nationwide because of the ongoing government shutdown<\/a>. <\/p>\n U.S. airports<\/a> in more than two dozen states are among those facing 10% reductions in air traffic.<\/p>\n A list distributed to airlines<\/a> and obtained by The Associated Press includes airports in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles among the 40 that will see flights slashed. <\/p>\n The cuts could include up to 1,800 flights, according to estimates. <\/p>\n RELATED: These are the airports that will reduce flights during the government shutdown<\/a><\/p>\n While Jacksonville International Airport is not on the list, a trickledown is expected<\/a> because of reductions at important hubs like Atlanta, Houston and Miami. <\/p>\n \u201cThe entire system will be impacted\u201d by the cuts, said Michael Stewart, Jacksonville Aviation Authority\u2019s vice president of external affairs. \u201cIt is important that travelers check with their airline for any impact these changes may have on their scheduled flight.\u201d<\/p>\n The FAA is imposing the reductions to take pressure off air traffic controllers, who are federal employees and have gone without pay during the shutdown. <\/p>\n In addition to reduced flight traffic, the shutdown has led to more flight delays<\/a>, with experts advising travelers to check flight statuses before heading to the airport, among other tips.<\/p>\n RELATED: What to do if your flight is delayed or canceled during the US government shutdown<\/a><\/p>\n Travelers News4JAX spoke with at JAX on Thursday said that even though the cuts haven\u2019t started yet, the airports they were flying in from were already packed.<\/p>\n Frequent traveler Doug Mostrom, who was flying to New Orleans, said he understands why the cuts are necessary.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s unfortunate it\u2019s happening because of the political climate, but it\u2019s necessary to maintain safety,\u201d said Mostrom. \u201cYou can\u2019t put airplanes in the air without air traffic controllers.\u201d<\/p>\n Mostrom said he left a day early to avoid getting caught in potential delays once the reductions take effect.<\/p>\n Other travelers who arrived to Jacksonville from Iowa said their flights had not been affected yet, but they\u2019re keeping an eye on the situation.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were a little worried for the trip, but when we got to the airport, everything went smoother than expected,\u201d said Louie Wickett. \u201cSo, but I know they plan to do something Friday, so we\u2019re a little worried about the way home.\u201d<\/p>\n Airlines say they\u2019re working to adjust schedules and limit the impact on travelers. It\u2019s not clear when the reduced flights could end.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a closer look at what to know about the reductions. <\/p>\n Which airports are affected?<\/p>\n The list includes 40 airports with Atlanta, Denver, Dallas, Miami, Newark and San Francisco among them. A full list of airports facing reductions is here<\/a>. <\/p>\n Why is this necessary? <\/p>\n Air traffic controllers have gone without paychecks during the shutdown of the federal government. That\u2019s led to controllers calling in sick and contributed to staffing shortages<\/a> that have been affecting air travel for weeks. <\/p>\n Most controllers work mandatory overtime six days a week during the shutdown without pay, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association has said. <\/p>\n That leaves little time for a side job unless controllers call in sick to the FAA.<\/p>\n When will the reductions begin and end?<\/p>\n They\u2019re set to start Friday, with passengers expected to be notified on Thursday. Airlines have said people could see weekend travel plans disrupted with little notice. <\/p>\n It\u2019s unclear when the reduced flights could end. Airlines, unions and the travel industry have urged Congress to end the shutdown, which on Wednesday<\/a> became the longest on record.<\/p>\n What will the effect of the reduction be?<\/p>\n The cuts could include up to 1,800 flights and about 268,000 seats combined, according to one estimate. <\/p>\n United Airlines and Delta Air Lines both said they would offer refunds to travelers who opt not to fly, even if they have tickets that aren\u2019t normally refundable.<\/p>\n