Passengers at RDU react to FAA flight capacity announcement: 'It's going to be crazy'

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- The Federal Aviation Administration will reduce flight capacity by 10% at 40 major airports across the country according to officials during a press conference on Wednesday. The decision could cut thousands of flights per day.

The restrictions will go into effect Friday morning , that's according to the FAA Administrator and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

Travelers at RDU who have flights already delayed are disappointed with the news.

"It's going to be crazy," said Zenith Ortego.

"I think it's terrible," said Jimmy Dykes.

The DOT says this will impact flights at 40 of the country's busiest airports. The decision could cut thousands of flights per day

"With regard to the shutdown, our air traffic controllers and a lot of those who work at DOT but throughout government, they haven't received paychecks, because of that, we have seen staffing pressures throughout our airspace. Those who travel will see that we've had more delays. We've had more cancellations, we do not want to see disruptions," said Duffy.

Airplane scheduling is extremely complex, passengers realize it could get messy entering the holiday weekend.

"Just makes me feel awful because those are things that are out of those people's control," said Ortego.

RDU is not one of the airports that will be impacted, but Charlotte is.

Airlines for America, the trade association representing many major US airlines, says they are working with the federal government to understand all the details of this decision.

Passengers want a swift resolution.

"I'm hoping that they'll come to grips with how the American people are suffering," said Dykes.

The FAA says specific airports will be announced Thursday.