Live updates: Delays, cancellations hit SFO, OAK after FAA's 10% flight reduction

There is progress toward ending the shutdown. But, travelers can still expect to deal with delays and cancellations for a while longer.

There is progress toward ending the shutdown. But, travelers can still expect to deal with delays and cancellations for a while longer.

Since Friday, the FAA has been reducing flights at 40 of the nation's busiest airports, including at two airports in the Bay Area.

Across the country, travelers at some airports dealt with delays and cancellations on Sunday.

At SFO, we caught up with Neil Batlivala who just landed.

He showed us a picture he took on the tarmac in New York.

"We were coming here from NY. From EWR. It was a 2-hour on the tarmac extra because there are about 23 planes all lined up behind us. It is what it is. They said it is to be safe with the limited staffing," said Neil Batlivala of New York.

Cristyn Chadwick, her husband and her dog Stevie flew from Los Angeles to sfo and encountered a minor delay.

"Once the plane was fully loaded they said 'oh no, we're going to have to wait to be delayed 30 minutes because SFO had backups.' So, I guess they had some air traffic control problems," said Chadwick.

Because of a cancellation, Leona Chao of San Francisco had to leave her husband and daughter a day early for a work trip.

"I had a Monday morning flight that was canceled. So, I had to rebook to a Sunday evening flight," said Leona Chao.

The ongoing government shutdown has strained air travel.

Around 13,000 air traffic controllers have been working without pay for nearly a month now. Some have called out sick.

Last Friday, FAA began reducing flights at 40 of the nation's busiest airports to help keep air travel safe.

Travelers are bracing themselves for the possibility of more delays and cancellations, especially with holidays around the corner.

"I've been preparing myself for any outcome," said Raghav Daswani of Vancouver.
"We have flights. We're traveling a lot for next 2 months. We're just holding our breath we won't get caught. Because if we're see more and more of what we're seeing now, it's just going to get worse over the holiday," said Chadwick.

Late Sunday, there was word of a possible tentative agreement to end the federal government shutdown.

"It's a surprise but hopefully I come together," said Jake Kamstra of San Francisco.

At SFO on Sunday, there were nearly 50 flights canceled and more than 230 delays. Those numbers are expected to climb the rest of the week.

Flight reductions are expected to ramp up from 4% currently to 10% by Friday.

Even with a possible tentative agreement to end the government shutdown, "It's not like turning on a switch. It will take a week to sort things out," said John Nance, an aviation analyst for ABC News. He says travel disruptions will not end overnight.

"Regardless of what happens regarding ending the government stalemate, it will take some time. It will take 5 to 6 days to begin to put everything back on an equal footing," said Nance.

San Francisco International Airport reported 301 delays and 48 cancellations on Sunday afternoon.

SFO told ABC7 News that's high for a typical Sunday.

As of Sunday morning, more than 1700 flights were canceled in the U.S. and at least 5,700 have been delayed, according to flight tracking website FlightAware.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expects it to get even worse.

"I look to you know the two weeks before Thanksgiving, you're going to see air travel be reduced to a trickle. We have a number of people who want to get home for the holidays, they want to see their family, they want to celebrate this great American holiday. Listen, many them are not going to be able to get on an airplane, because there are not going to be that many flights that fly," he said.

Meanwhile Oakland's airport told ABC7 News it was pretty normal with only 6 cancellations and 40 delays.

U.S. airlines have canceled more than 2,500 weekend flights mostly because of the government shutdown and the Federal Aviation Administration's order to reduce air traffic.

The slowdown at 40 of the nation's busiest airports will head into its third day Sunday. So far there have not been any widespread disruptions.

FlightAware reports that cancellations jumped Saturday to more than 1,500, following just over 1,000 the previous day.

By Saturday evening airlines already had canceled another 1,000-plus Sunday flights.

Flight delays and cancellations continued at Bay Area Airports on Saturday. More than 900 flights have been canceled nationwide this weekend, as the FAA limits flight capacity at 40 major airports during the government shutdown.

Flight delays and cancellations continued at Bay Area Airports on Saturday. More than 900 flights have been canceled nationwide this weekend, as the FAA limits flight capacity at 40 major airports during the government shutdown.

Many travelers are feeling frustrated.

"We've been here six weeks, New Orleans, Route 66 for 26 days," said Annette Mitchell.

Annette and Glenn Mitchell from Australia are wrapping up a vacation of a lifetime, too bad it's not ending the way they'd hoped due to the U.S. government shutdown.

"It's a sickness in the stomach wondering if we're going to get a flight or not," said Annette Mitchell.

The Mitchell's flight to LAX is one of about 35 flights cancelled Saturday, according to the SFO's duty manager, to help ease pressure on the embattled U.S. air traffic control system. The Mitchell's are checking the boards for a backup plan. They need to make their connecting flight back to Australia on Saturday night.

"Our fourth option is to grab a rent-a-car and shoot back down to LA, but that went out the window when we came here and waited for the good news," said Glenn Mitchell.

Ray Vidrio is heading to JFK, but flight delays are only compounding the situation.

"I feel bad too. I've been patient with everyone. A lot of flights have been canceled, rerouted, and delayed. It's tough to travel right now," said Vidrio.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy insists the drastic cuts are to relieve pressure, as air traffic controllers work without pay and more call out sick.

"Some people have second-guessed what we've done; we have not politicized the airplace, we've been working hard to make sure that there's minimal disruption to the best of our ability and still keep it safe," said Duffy.

Flight cancellations mean a four percent reduction this weekend, but Duffy says the FAA will continue to reduce flights by ten percent across 40 airports until the government shutdown ends.

"Frustrating and inconvenient for passengers," said traveler Rhoda Mondes.

This week, most airlines are trying to accommodate passenger travel plans without change fees.

Best advice, if you're traveling, check with your carrier for the latest information before heading to the airport.