SAN FRANCISCO - Air travelers may face more frustration as busy U.S. airports need to meet a higher Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) target for reducing flights after already canceling thousands during the government shutdown.

Last week, the FAA ordered domestic airlines to drop 4% of their flights at 40 major U.S. airports, saying absences and signs of stress among traffic controllers made it imperative to act in the name of public safety.

Karen and James of Petaluma were flying out from San Francisco's airport on Tuesday to see their newborn grandson, instead of waiting a few weeks, when it could be worse. They haven't even bothered to book a return flight home.

"We don't care about getting home," she said. We just want to get there."

More flight cancellations, delays expected

See Full Page