O'Hare, Midway airports begin flight cancellations as FAA reduces capacity

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Federal Aviation Administration is cutting flights at dozens of airports, including O'Hare and Midway in Chicago.

Airlines were ordered to cut flight capacity by 4% by 5 a.m. Friday because of the government shutdown.

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FlightAware.com shows more than 1,400 cancellations and more than 20,000 delays nationwide on Friday.

The Chicago Department of Aviation reports 90 cancellations 21-minute delays at O'Hare Friday. The department reports 19 cancellations and delays of less than 15 minutes at Midway.

So, as passengers brace for some possible turbulence in their travel plans, between O'Hare and Midway airports, there have been about 100 flights canceled Friday. Bad weather usually cancels many more flights than that.

"Fingers crossed. I think we're going to be okay." Mike Orlando, who is traveling to Miami, said.

Orlando and his family were optimistic about catching their early morning flight to make a relaxing Miami cruise, but it is the flight home that is still up in the air.

"We actually thought about, obviously, renting a car if there's any available and hopefully getting into something to drive back home," Orlando said.

Those contingency plans are top-of-mind for some travelers Friday, as the FAA requires airlines to cut 4% of flights at 40 major airports across the country amid the longest government shutdown in US history. The agency cited air traffic controller and TSA agent staffing strains.

These critical employees have been going without pay for more than a month now, with some taking side jobs to pay the bills.

Airlines are required to nix 10% of flights by next Friday, Nov. 14 or face a hefty $75,000 fine per flight over the specified federal limit.

"If you're in a market with only two small regional flights and you cancel one or both of them, that's a huge impact to that market," David Kinzelman, United Airlines chief customer officer, said. "We want to avoid that. And so, what we're doing is really spreading it around the system."

United, American and Delta - the nation's three largest carriers - said they believe they will be able to accommodate impacted passengers by placing them on other flights.

"I knew that they were going be some things happening today, some flights canceled. I planned to be here early," Perry Juergens, who is traveling to Pittsburgh, said.

Juergens, of South Carolina, is traveling for work and he is not taking any chances, making sure he can get to his destination.

"I contacted my supervisor and built a contingency plan," Juergens said. "Got a rental car and if I need to drive to Pittsburgh, that's what I would do today."

Lincolnshire's Anna Panchisin is traveling to Rochester, New York, with fingers crossed that their flight home is not affected.

"We knew our flight wasn't canceled going, but we're concerned it might be canceled coming back," Panchisin said.

It is a big weekend for Tom Parkinson and his family from Washington. They flew into Chicago and will drive the rest of the way to Madison for Saturday's Wisconsin-Washington football game. They actually arrived a little earlier than scheduled.Getting back home could be another issue.

"Always some concerns. But I'd stay a couple days extra. Doesn't bother me. Just stay and have some Chicago pizza," Parkinson said.

Courtney Lilly, of Los Angeles, is also just glad he made it to Chicago. He will worry about getting back home later.

"I'd be more concerned about missing the games. We got the right part of it. We're not gonna miss football," Lilly said.

With Chicago enjoying a beautiful fall day, many flights are actually coming in ahead of schedule on Friday. Andrew Biancosino and his family are not among those fortunate ones. They came in from Newark, New Jersey.

"Bout an hour and a half late," Biancosino said. "Just the shortage of staff and waiting in the long taxi line to land."

With the cancellations expected to increase every day for the next week, those with flights coming up have more reason for concern.

Lynnea Walsh is hoping to meeting several family members in Florida next week.

"It's just unsettling. You're just not sure when you're gonna get there, if you're gonna get there," Walsh said.

Walsh says her scheduled flight for Sunday morning has already be canceled, and they are now on a Sunday afternoon flight. She is hoping that is the worst of it, but it is too soon to say.

And with the busy Thanksgiving holiday rush just around the corner, travelers are hoping federal lawmakers can hash out a deal to reopen to the government and avoid further headache.

The Chicago Department of Aviation said in a statement, "The CDA is coordinating with federal and airline partners regarding the Federal Aviation Administration directive affecting airline operations beginning Friday, Nov. 7. All travelers with flights scheduled on or after Friday, Nov. 7, should monitor their flight status through their air carrier's mobile app or website before leaving for the airport. These tools provide the most current information on schedule changes, delays, and any necessary rebooking options."

Late Thursday, United Airlines released a full list of flight cancelations through Sunday.