CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WKBW) — Due to the government shutdown, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced last week it would reduce air traffic at 40 high-traffic airports across the country as part of its effort to "maintain the highest standards of safety in the national airspace system."
This decision has led to delays and flight cancellations across the country. I spoke to some travelers heading back to Buffalo who had very different experiences.
"Not as bad as I expected," said Scott Winterburn, of Frewsburg.
"It was a little chaotic getting through the baggage claim," said Kati Carcaterro. "Slower than usual, but other than that, pretty good."
While these travelers didn't see lines or delays during their travels, for others, the journey hasn't been as smooth.
WATCH: After cancelled flights, travelers pay $1,300 for rental car back to Buffalo
7 News editor Mel Hidy and her boyfriend, Austin, were supposed to fly back to Buffalo on Sunday from Fort Lauderdale.
"It kept getting delayed, delayed, delayed until it was canceled," explained Hidy.
They were booked on a flight from Orlando to Buffalo on Monday morning. So they waited two hours in line to rent a car, for around $150, and drive from Fort Lauderdale to Orlando.
"There were so many Bills fans there doing the same thing," she said.
They arrived in Orlando around 2 a.m. on Monday and stayed in a hotel. Hidy said they got to the airport around 8 a.m., only to learn this flight had been canceled. Hidy said other flights back to Buffalo had multiple stops, so they decided to rent a car and make the long drive.
"We paid $1,300 to drive back to Buffalo from Orlando," she said.
Rental companies at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport on Monday had no lines. One representative said there are plenty of cars available.
It's important to note that the price on a third-party website might not reflect the price of the car rental.
If you plan to fly soon, I spoke with Sam Sweeney, who covers transportation for ABC News, and Katy Nastro from Going.com, who gave travel insight for this unprecedented time. You can watch our report below and read more here.
