Pittsburgh International Airport is monitoring the potential collateral impact of the Federal Aviation Administration’s air-traffic reductions. Flights are being slashed at 40 airports across the country by 10% starting Friday, according to the FAA. The FAA said it’s all about maintaining safety as the government shutdown continues.While Pittsburgh International isn’t one of those 40 airports, the cancellations are still likely to affect Pittsburgh travelers through disruptions to connecting flights or long layovers.“We have a game on Sunday in San Francisco, so I think for us, I’m a little nervous that we’re not going to make it out there,” said Josh Oldroid, an assistant coach with the University of Pittsburgh men’s soccer team. “We were supposed to fly Saturday, but moved the flight to Friday in case we get some delays.”And a backup plan for cross-country travel is going to be hard to come by.“It’s a concern that we don’t have any backup plans or major options if something does go wrong. Obviously, we have games to play, so it’s difficult this time of year for the student athletes, whether they’re in class or out of class. So, you know, a lot of development that way,” Oldroid said.According to the FAA, the major shifts in flight schedules will begin taking shape Friday and grow to a 10% reduction in the coming days. That’s thousands of flights daily that won’t be taking off.A spokesperson for Pittsburgh International Airport released the following statement:“Passengers at Pittsburgh International Airport have seen minimal impact and no operational changes at this time as a result of the federal government shutdown. Essential federal workers at the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration and Customs and Border Protection are continuing to work through the shutdown.Regarding the proposed temporary FAA flight reductions, while PIT is not among a published list of 40 airports impacted, we do have nonstop service to several of those markets. We advise passengers to check with their airline before coming to the airport in order to closely follow their flight status. Passengers can also monitor flight status at flypittsburgh.com. Media should check with the airlines directly for any schedule changes.PIT leadership is monitoring the situation and remains in close contact with our partner organizations at the TSA, FAA, CBP and other federal agencies.”Jim Garrity, of AAA East Central, said to keep an eye on your flight now directly through the airline’s app for the most up-to-date information.“If you have a flight coming up, it’s not too early to just be informed about that flight, keeping an eye on it. Is it still scheduled for when it’s supposed to be scheduled? A lot of your delays, you may not know until you get closer, but it’s never too early to be informed about your flight,” Garrity said.He suggests consulting an AAA travel advisor with questions.Some airlines are trying to ease the stress on travelers. For example, Southwest, which is one of the airlines with the largest number of flights to and from Pittsburgh, is allowing customers to adjust their flights between now and Nov. 12 at no additional cost, or receive a refund if they choose to cancel a flight.In a statement, a Southwest spokesperson said, “We continue to urge Congress to immediately resolve its impasse and restore the National Airspace System to its full capacity.”

PITTSBURGH —

Pittsburgh International Airport is monitoring the potential collateral impact of the Federal Aviation Administration’s air-traffic reductions.

Flights are being slashed at 40 airports across the country by 10% starting Friday, according to the FAA. The FAA said it’s all about maintaining safety as the government shutdown continues.

While Pittsburgh International isn’t one of those 40 airports, the cancellations are still likely to affect Pittsburgh travelers through disruptions to connecting flights or long layovers.

“We have a game on Sunday in San Francisco, so I think for us, I’m a little nervous that we’re not going to make it out there,” said Josh Oldroid, an assistant coach with the University of Pittsburgh men’s soccer team. “We were supposed to fly Saturday, but moved the flight to Friday in case we get some delays.”

And a backup plan for cross-country travel is going to be hard to come by.

“It’s a concern that we don’t have any backup plans or major options if something does go wrong. Obviously, we have games to play, so it’s difficult this time of year for the student athletes, whether they’re in class or out of class. So, you know, a lot of development that way,” Oldroid said.

According to the FAA, the major shifts in flight schedules will begin taking shape Friday and grow to a 10% reduction in the coming days. That’s thousands of flights daily that won’t be taking off.

A spokesperson for Pittsburgh International Airport released the following statement:

“Passengers at Pittsburgh International Airport have seen minimal impact and no operational changes at this time as a result of the federal government shutdown. Essential federal workers at the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration and Customs and Border Protection are continuing to work through the shutdown.

Regarding the proposed temporary FAA flight reductions, while PIT is not among a published list of 40 airports impacted, we do have nonstop service to several of those markets. We advise passengers to check with their airline before coming to the airport in order to closely follow their flight status. Passengers can also monitor flight status at flypittsburgh.com. Media should check with the airlines directly for any schedule changes.

PIT leadership is monitoring the situation and remains in close contact with our partner organizations at the TSA, FAA, CBP and other federal agencies.”

Jim Garrity, of AAA East Central, said to keep an eye on your flight now directly through the airline’s app for the most up-to-date information.

“If you have a flight coming up, it’s not too early to just be informed about that flight, keeping an eye on it. Is it still scheduled for when it’s supposed to be scheduled? A lot of your delays, you may not know until you get closer, but it’s never too early to be informed about your flight,” Garrity said.

He suggests consulting an AAA travel advisor with questions.

Some airlines are trying to ease the stress on travelers. For example, Southwest, which is one of the airlines with the largest number of flights to and from Pittsburgh, is allowing customers to adjust their flights between now and Nov. 12 at no additional cost, or receive a refund if they choose to cancel a flight.

In a statement, a Southwest spokesperson said, “We continue to urge Congress to immediately resolve its impasse and restore the National Airspace System to its full capacity.”