Pittsburgh International Airport appeared to be running normally Friday as the Federal Aviation Administration began curtailing flights across the nation in response to the government shutdown.

Jackie Ferguson, a customer assistance representative for American Airlines at the airport, said Pittsburgh might not be directly affected until the end of the weekend.

“I think everything seems to be running smooth, and that’s good,” said Ferguson, who has worked in air travel for 16 years. “I think everybody’s trying to be ahead of the problem.”

U.S. airlines were under federal orders to cut 4% of flights at 40 major airports — including about 700 flights from American, Delta, Southwest and United — as a result of the government shutdown, according to Reuters.

The cuts will be phased in over the next several days, reaching 10% by next Friday if the shutdown continues, Reuters said.

On Friday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned he could require 20% cuts later.

Friday’s rollout of the unprecedented flight reductions comes less than three weeks before Thanksgiving, typically the busiest travel period of the year.

The FAA said the cuts are meant to alleviate pressures on air traffic controllers, who are not being paid during the shutdown, and to keep the flying public safe.

“We are seeing signs of stress in the system, so we are proactively reducing the number of flights to make sure the American people continue to fly safely,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said Thursday.

@triblive It’s the first official day of the Federal Aviation Administration cutting back flights throughout the nation’s aviation system, and Pittsburgh International Airport appeared to be running normally. Have you been affected? #faa #airport #travel #pittsburgh #shutdown ♬ original sound - TribLive

There were no abnormal levels of cancellations or delays Friday in Pittsburgh, Ferguson said. A departures board behind Ferguson showed most flights were on time.

It’s the first official day of the Federal Aviation Administration’s cuts in air-traffic operations under President Donald Trump.

Here’s a look at the arrivals and departures boards at Pittsburgh International Airport as of this morning. Stay tuned for more @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/XHnoUyE0ec

— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) November 7, 2025

A view of the full departures board for today @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/8h3fWffMSV

— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) November 7, 2025

As of Friday morning, Pittsburgh had eight flight cancellations — four departures and four arrivals — related to the FAA reductions, according to Bob Kerlik, an airport spokesman.

“Delays can happen for any reason,” Ferguson said. “I can’t speak for all the airlines, (but) for American, we’ve been really ahead of it. … We ran really smooth today.”

As the reductions ramp up and ripple through the system, however, Ferguson said Pittsburgh operations could be affected in the coming days and weeks.

“I think that’s a natural progression of a bad situation,” she said. “Here in Pittsburgh, we have our fingers crossed that we won’t feel it like the major airports.”

Jake Wentzel of South Park and Kami Kaczanowicz of Lower Burrell were flying from Pittsburgh to Dallas on Friday for a wedding.

“I asked him if he thought we would have issues,” Kaczanowicz said. “He thought maybe coming back.”

Both said they weren’t too concerned with the Pittsburgh-to-Dallas leg of their flight, even though it was delayed by 30 minutes.

“If we get stuck in Dallas, it’s probably nicer than being here,” Wentzel said.

Brian Smith fretted about his one-day business trip to Savannah, Ga. His flight out Friday was delayed. He said he needed to be back in Pittsburgh on Saturday in time to see his daughter perform in a show.

He also said he was worried about upcoming air travel because his daughter is in the midst of college visits across the country.

“It’s a lot of anxiety and fear,” said Smith, 54, of Moon. “We’re really worried about that.”

Here’s what the ticket counter area looks like right now @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/NkYIFfzLAM

— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) November 7, 2025

TSA isn’t busy right now @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/F1AWpoM5TE

— Megan Swift (@mgswift7) November 7, 2025

Jullian Medvec, who works at the National car rental desk at the airport, said he hadn’t noticed any changes as of Friday as a direct result of the flight cuts.

Ferguson advised travelers to keep their flight notifications turned on and to monitor the news.

“I would suggest check(ing) their final destination airport and what’s happening there and their connecting airport,” Ferguson said. “I would say monitor your airports among your entire flight route.”

Managers have been “very communicative” about the situation, according to Ferguson, letting employees know what’s going on.

“Nothing’s different for us at this point,” she said, “besides being ready and being aware.”

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