HENRICO, Va. (WWBT) - The Federal Aviation Administration began cutting flight capacity by 4% starting Friday at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports as air traffic controllers deal with staffing shortages during the government shutdown.

“It is not a science, it is an art that we’re trying to deploy to keep people safe in the airspace,” said Sean Duffy of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

While Richmond International Airport is not on the list, popular connections like Atlanta, Reagan National and Baltimore are affected. On Friday the cuts already impacted more 2,400 flights.

Glennis Shirlee flew in from Arizona, but had an hour delay in Atlanta.

“I was concerned I was not going to get home tonight. I mean I literally said I’m done flying this season,” Shirlee said.

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