Salt Lake City airport sees cancellations early Friday as FAA flight reductions begin

SALT LAKE CITY — With a flight decrease at some of the highest traffic airports in the U.S. starting Friday, passengers at the Salt Lake City International Airport were hoping to beat the bummer. Some weren't that lucky.

"I was getting a little concerned," said one passenger early Friday morning. "Yeah, so like trying to book out a little bit earlier."

After the Federal Aviation Administration announced Thursday that a 10% decrease in flights would be made at 40 of the most high-traffic airports in the U.S., Salt Lake City International Airport saw 24 flights canceled by 8 a.m. Friday.

Across the country, FlightAware reported over 800 cancellations by that time.

The FAA's action was made as a result of the government shutdown, which, approaching day 40, is now the longest ever recorded in U.S. history. The reduction was in direct response to staffing shortages within air traffic control — employees working without pay due to the government shutdown.

People whose flights didn't get the axe Friday were a bit relieved. They still expressed nervousness and anger about what it might mean for their future flights, especially with the holidays coming up.

One passenger, John Willard, who was flying in from San Francisco Friday, said he was "more or less upset they can't just solve this problem and get back on track."

The first 4% of cancellations were implemented, Friday, and that was just the first round. The number was expected to grow to 5% on Saturday and reach 10% by next week.

Several people KSL-TV spoke with on Friday morning said they're seeing a ripple effect, including some who changed vacation plans entirely. For those who chose to keep their flights, they're feeling the weight of the gamble of taking a flight that might be on the chopping block later.

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