Airline travelers in the United States are preparing for tougher days ahead. The Trump administration has announced flight reductions at 40 major airports across the country as the government shutdown continues. This move, which starts Friday, is expected to disrupt travel schedules and push ticket prices even higher.

Airlines have already begun canceling flights in response to the government’s directive. However, it remains unclear how long these cuts will last. According to travel industry analyst Zach Griff, airlines are reducing capacity cautiously. “They’re doing that because no one knows how long this will last,” he explained. “It’s stressful for travelers, but there’s no better option right now.”

Before the shutdown, fares were already predicted to rise by 7% to 10% this holiday season, data from Going.com shows. Strong travel demand, along with capacity cuts by low-cost carriers such as Spirit Airlines, had already pressured prices upward. Spirit, currently in bankruptcy, had started reducing its schedule even before the Federal Aviation Administration’s latest restrictions.

Experts believe these new flight cuts will drive prices even higher. Data from Cirium, an aviation analytics firm, estimates that travelers could see 1,800 fewer flights a day, cutting more than 100,000 seats from daily capacity. For passengers, that means fewer options and more crowded planes.

Which Flights Are Most at Risk

The routes most likely to face cancellations are smaller regional flights that connect to major airline hubs. Larger city-to-city routes tend to stay profitable, so they are less affected. Travelers flying from small airports could be stranded if their flights are canceled.

Passengers whose flights are canceled can request refunds or rebookings. Major carriers such as American, Delta, and United Airlines are also allowing refunds for travelers who cancel in advance—even for nonrefundable tickets.

While this flexibility helps, finding another seat may still be difficult if the shutdown continues or bad weather adds more disruptions. Experts hope that flight schedules return to normal before Thanksgiving week, one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

“Thanksgiving is nonnegotiable for many travelers,” said Katy Nastro of Going.com. “Let’s hope the shutdown ends soon, or holiday travel could become extremely painful.”