ALLENTOWN, Pa. – An aviation official said that federal flight cuts is like throwing a wrench into the already stressful and busiest travel season of the year.

“We’ve had the flights booked for about a month, and the reason that we’re going is for a fitness competition,” Said Allentown’s Olivia Brochu.

She and her husband Andrew hope they take off from Newark to Chicago next Friday.

“I feel very up in the air. I’m not sure if we should proceed with our plans, if we should be scrapping the whole thing and trying to drive,” Brochu said.

Breaks are being put on flights across the country, including Newark and Philadelphia. 4% of flights at 40 of the nations busiest airports, rising to 6% Tuesday, 8% Thursday, and 10% next Friday.

This as air traffic controllers are working without pay due to the government shutdown.

Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said flights cuts could reach 20% if the shutdown lags on.

However, at least on this first day, LVIA is doing okay with minimal cancellations.

“For how long?,” Is the up in the air question for LVIA.

Director of Public and Government Relations, Colin Riccobon, says they serve some of the airports impacted the most.

“We don’t know until we know. So the key is for passengers to stay engaged in their travel,” he said.

“I tell everyone, pack your patience,” said Travel agent Faith Ann Liuzzo Bartholomew of FAB Travel.

She says if possible be flexible, booking a flight two days early allows finding a cancelled flight easier, without interrupting your set trip.

“The airlines don’t want to lose money, so they’ll get things going as soon as possible,” she said.

As for the Brochu’s, with four kids, re-booking early or driving is an idea that may not make if off the ground.

“He’s (Andrew) been training for three or four months. If we can’t get there, I think he’s just not in and all that training was sort of a waste of time,” she said.

Bartholomew says, the good news is airlines are issuing refunds quickly. She also says it may not matter when you set to fly out earlier or late, all times are being impacted.