Those departing from the Valley International Airport in Harlingen said they are experiencing flight delays.

“We wanted to land earlier, but it's out of our hands,” Alma Sanchez said.

Sanchez said she and her husband were hoping to make it to Missouri to visit their son Friday, but a connecting flight to Houston is keeping them in the Rio Grande Valley just a little longer.

Another traveler, Jose Cantu, planned to fly to Chicago on Saturday, but that changed once he received an alert from the airline.

“It was from Delta, they said it was best to move a day earlier and try to make it home safe, or you could be stuck,” Cantu said.

The delays are happening after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a reduction of services at 40 major airports to accommodate air traffic controllers calling out of work in high numbers amid the government shutdown.

On Friday, the Associated Press reported over 1,000 flights were cancelled nationwide due to the FAA reduction.

READ MORE: US airlines cancel over 1,000 flights while complying with shutdown order

While airports in the Valley are not affected by the FAA order, the airports connected to those in the Valley are.

“We're not immediately being affected by the cuts, but their flight could be affected if they're connecting through a hub,” Valley International Airport Aviation Director Marv Esterly said.

Esterley said most flights from Harlingen connect to Houston, Dallas or Minneapolis.

“Continue on like you do. Get your flight ticket, get ready for your flight, just like you normally do,” Esterly said. “Just realize that the airline might be contacting you and say that your connection has been cancelled."

Esterly also advised travelers to call the airline if their flight is affected so they can make other arrangements.

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