Fliers worry about potential delays as FAA cuts 10% of flights

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus fliers say they’re worried about potential turbulence with their travel plans, after the FAA announced they will cut 10% of flights at some major airports. 

As of now, CMH is not on the list of airports seeing cuts, but experts say that doesn’t mean fliers will not see impacts.

“I'm very, very, very worried,” said Teresa McGinnis from Ironton.

McGinnis is taking off for a trip of a lifetime, Columbus to New York, then finally to Athens, Greece. She said the looming threat of flight cancellations due to the government shutdown is now an added stressor.

“I was afraid, you know. Are they going to cut us? Are we going to miss the ship? Are we going to, you know, all this time that we've planned this whole trip and is it going to be cut short?” McGinnis said.

Alex Eikenberry and Sam Shorr are headed to Charleston, South Carolina.

“Just kind of a weird time, a lot of uncertainty,” Shorr said.

They aren’t too concerned about their flight there, but rather their flight home.

“I'm a little bit nervous. I looked up how long it is to drive home because I'm ready for plan B," Eikenberry said.

Breann Gonzalez Almos, the Columbus Regional Airport Authority spokesperson sent us a statement about the impacts which said they are working on a plan.

“We understand that the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration are working with the airlines on a plan. We recommend that all passengers reach out directly to their airline to see if their flights will be impacted," the statement read.

Morgan Dean, a spokesperson for AAA Club Alliance, said passengers should prepare for potential hiccups, especially with connecting flights.

Dean said to stay in touch with their airlines and download their app for updates. Dean said if you booked through a travel agent, they may have insight or advice. 

With Thanksgiving approaching – one of the biggest travel periods of the year – he said he knows it's hard not to panic.

“Will this still be a factor at that point? We don't know that. So for those that are traveling for Thanksgiving, I would maybe play a wait-and-see game for a few more days and next week or the week after and then start to make some secondary plans or alternate plans if need be, for Thanksgiving,” Dean said.

Dean said AAA Thanksgiving travel numbers will be released next week, but they are anticipating record-breaking numbers, if not close to it.

“When we start to look at longer term impacts, if this continues on, it could have some big effects on travelers at that time period,” Dean said.

There have been a few delays here at CMH Thursday but nothing significant. Other advice from AAA is to fly on a less crowded day rather than peak days. They say this would lessen the chances of cancellation.