ORLANDO, Fla. – It’s been a long day for Billy Kubarewicz, who said he’s been at the airport since 5 a.m.
“Yeah. It’s brutal. Terrible. Just delays, delays, delays,” he said.
His flight to New Jersey has been pushed back several times after already dealing with delays on his way to Orlando.
[VIDEO BELOW: Delays mount at Orlando airport during gov’t shutdown]
“We lost that whole day on Thursday,” Kubarewicz said. “We were supposed to get here at 8 a.m., and we didn’t arrive until 5 p.m.”
Around 9 p.m., at least two dozen planes lined the taxiway waiting to take off. One flight was told it was 20th in line and would be sitting for the next hour due to a lack of staff in the air traffic control tower.
“It’s terrible,” Kubarewicz said. “I don’t blame these people for not showing up. Why would you show up if you’re not getting paid?”
Orlando International Airport officials confirmed they’ve cut around 130 flights since Friday to align with the FAA’s plan, all due to the shutdown.
“We have family whose flight was canceled for tomorrow, so they’re impacted as well,” said Nicoletta Roeble. “It’s just a really frustrating, kind of helpless situation.”
But relief could be coming soon—reports say the Senate is closing in on a deal to end the shutdown. Passengers like Bill Wilson and Nicoletta Roeble hope it happens before the holidays.
“That would relieve the anxiety that people have,” Wilson said. “Especially if you already have anxiety about travel and getting to your gate on time.”
Orlando International said 41 flights are being canceled Sunday. Those flights are determined by the airlines.
If you are traveling, contact your airline for more information.