Maryland's BWI Airport among 40 that will be impacted by FAA flight cancellations

The Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Airport in Maryland is among 40 U.S. airports that will be impacted by flight cancellations, according to a list obtained by CBS News.

The airport, along with three others in the Maryland/D.C. area, will see impacts Friday after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced plans to cut air traffic by 10% at several high-volume airports. 

The move aims to address a shortage of air traffic controllers as they are working without pay due to the ongoing government shutdown.

The FAA announced Thursday evening it will begin with a 4% cut Friday, ramping up to a 10% reduction by Nov. 14. The FAA reports 44,000 flights take to the skies daily, meaning nearly 4,400 could be cut next week.

Airlines will be responsible for issuing refunds for cancelled flights, but are not responsible for secondary costs. The FAA also says it will be up to each airline to decide which flights to cancel to meet the goal.

Washington Dulles International (IAD) and Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) airports will also see flight cancellations Friday.  

Impacts at BWI Airport 

On Thursday afternoon, BWI shared a social media post saying the FAA and airlines are working to implement the cuts and adjust flight schedules.

According to the post, airlines will reach out to customers to inform them of any changes. Travelers with upcoming flights are urged to check the status with their airline and arrive at the airport early. 

"It is our understanding that the carriers are working to modify their schedules in a manner to minimize impact on passengers," the post read. 

Dulles and Reagan airports issued a similar statement.

According to the air traffic controllers' union, BWI is one of the few airports that is fully staffed with 22 controllers. However, the flight cancellations will still cause delays for travelers. 

Financial burden on air traffic controllers

WJZ Investigates spoke to Mike Christine, the Eastern Regional Vice President of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, which represents controllers at BWI.

"Our controllers are in charge of the most complex airspace in the world, and when you're having to make decisions about financial burdens, that's not what we want," Christine said of the strain this has put on them. 

Many are seeing pay stubs showing zero dollars yet again. 

"There's just no end in sight. You wake up in the morning, and you see another number drop off—the 37th day of the shutdown. It's ridiculous. It's not fair," Christine said. "Our controllers deserve better. And it's clear that all of our air traffic controllers want this government shutdown to end. It has to end today. It can't go on another day. Our airspace system is too fragile as it is to be introducing risk into the system unnecessarily."

Christine stressed that air traffic controllers will continue showing up to work. 

"They're committed to making sure your flight arrives safely," he told WJZ. 

Ripple effects nationwide

The inconvenience for travelers will be felt quickly nationwide.

Even if your flight is not cancelled, it could be delayed because of another cancellation.

"It's par for the course and it's ridiculous," said Felicia Verrett-Dale, who was leaving Baltimore on Thursday. "Get to the airport early and just try to remain calm."

Additional ground stops are also expected, which will further impact the intertwined aviation network.

Joshua Schirard, a commercial pilot and aviation expert, said cancellations are only the tipping point. He said that if flight crews are stuck in a delay or ground stop, they could time out, meaning, legally, they wouldn't be available to fly, causing further problems.

"We're likely to see an even more amount of delays across the U.S. airspace," Schirard said. "If one of them all of a sudden duty's out, then that flight can't happen. Here's another delay or butterfly effect."

At BWI, TSA lines were also shut down because of a lack of staff. Terminal A did not have a checkpoint open. 

Meanwhile, only travelers with TSA Pre-Check or Clear could be screened in Terminal B. General and priority passengers had to be screened in Terminal C, which created long lines during the busy afternoon rush.

The busy holiday travel season is just weeks away. Many travelers are crossing their fingers, hoping they not only make it home on time, but also that this reduction ends before the holidays.

"Well, you would definitely make you think twice about it and sit with the roads instead of the airlines," traveler Paul Hively said.

Experts say the ripple effects felt this weekend would only be amplified if the shutdown continues into the Thanksgiving travel week.

Concerned travelers

At BWI Marshall on Thursday, WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren encountered many travelers who are nervous about their future flights. 

Among them, Troy Young, who was flying from Baltimore to Florida.

"We might be driving back if there's an issue with the flights, but we'll take it day-by-day and see what they do, but hopefully, they get their act together and open up the government," Young said. 

Dorn Pollard already had her flight canceled at Reagan National and drove to BWI Marshall to catch another. An upcoming trip brings more uncertainty. 

"I'm a little worried, not so much about this trip, but my next trip next week to Houston when stuff hits the fan," Pollard said. 

Fawn Montoya is flying across the country.

"I'm nervous because I'm traveling today to San Diego, and my husband is traveling tomorrow to Denver, and then we're all traveling back in the next 10 days, hoping that we'll all make it back on time and not too many delays," Montoya said.

Montoya shared her thoughts on Washington, D.C. lawmakers, "I think Washington knows what they're going to do, and I don't think they're going to listen to the rest of us."

She said, "I just don't think day-to-day people are being considered in some of the shutdown issues. I think the biggest concern is the reality that people are not being paid right now."

What to do if your flight is impacted

Southwest, BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport's largest carrier, told WJZ the airline is "evaluating how the planned FAA flight reductions… will affect our schedule."

Southwest will notify any impacted passengers directly… and "in most cases, we will automatically rebook you on another flight."

You can read the airline's full statement here.

Ragina Ali, with AAA Mid-Atlantic, advises people to check directly with their carrier and make sure their airline app is up to date. 

"Here at BWI, Southwest is a huge hub for us. We've got Dulles and Reagan down the road, so this region is certainly a huge transportation hub, and we certainly know that those traveling from this region and or to this region will be impacted," Ali said. 

She and others hope this shutdown will not continue into the busy Thanksgiving holiday.

"I have friends calling me who have travel plans next week, and they're asking me, 'What should I do? Should I cancel my next flight?' At AAA, we're advising people to check their reservations. We know many airlines are offering pre-cancellations or rescheduling, but again, it's a very fluid situation. We're not exactly sure when it's going to be resolved."