Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is bracing for a likely 10% cut in air traffic, as staffing shortages linked to the government shutdown snarl travel at airports nationwide.

Why it matters: The move is expected to bring delays and flight cancellations — and more cuts could follow as the busy Thanksgiving travel season nears.

The big picture: ATL is among 40 "high traffic" U.S. airports, according to the AP, where the Federal Aviation Administration has planned to reduce 10% of flights in response to the longest-ever government shutdown.

• The cuts come as air traffic controllers and other staff are facing their second skipped paycheck.
• The cuts may start at 4% Friday before ramping up to 10% over the following few days if the shutdown continues, CNN reports.

By the numbers: If Atlanta were to see the 10% reduction carried out on Friday, flight cancellations could total 104, per data from aviation analytics company Cirium.

• That could affect more than 17,000 travelers.

What they're saying: An airport spokesperson told Axios in a statement that the airport is "operating without interruption."

• "We are aware that ATL has been identified among the airports affected by the FAA's temporary air traffic reductions related to the ongoing federal shutdown," the statement reads. "Therefore, we are preparing to activate measures to ensure that passengers who may be affected by the FAA flight reductions continue to have an optimal experience."

The FAA did not immediately respond to Axios' requests for comment Thursday morning and early afternoon.

Zoom in: Delta said in a statement it is allowing customers to cancel, change or refund their flights without penalty during the impacted travel period.

• Customers can check the airline's website and app for updates.

Go deeper: What to do if the FAA cuts or cancels your flight

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It's the weekend and once you're done running errands, check out what's happening around Atlanta with these events:

🥣 The popular Chomp & Stomp returns this weekend, bringing its famous chili cook-off, music, 5K and vendors to the heart of Cabbagetown.

• The event — a fundraiser for the Cabbagetown Initiative — returns this year with a kickoff event at 8pm Friday that features improv theater at Cabbagetown Park, with talent from Dad's Garage making an appearance.
• Saturday's festivities run from 11am to 7pm, with the chili cook-off beginning at 12:30pm.
• Don't forget to purchase your spoons (your entry to the tasting) for $10 at Little's Food Store and Sweet Cheats. You can also buy them for $15 on the day of the festival.
• 🤣 Kristal's thought bubble: You'll notice the people who are serious about the tasting by the muffin tins they use to hold their samples.

🩰 Cirque du Soleil is back at Atlantic Station with its production of "Luzia." (through Jan. 25, 2026)

🏀 The Hawks host the Toronto Raptors at State Farm Arena. (Fri.)

🏈 The Morehouse College Maroon Tigers take the field against the Clark Atlanta University Panthers. (Sat.)

🍷 Sip and savor (responsibly) more than 350 wines at the Decatur Wine Festival. (Sat.)

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Atlanta's premier museum documenting the struggle for equality in America will open its newly expanded space to the public this weekend.

Why it matters: Amid political scrutiny of so-called "woke" exhibits at the Smithsonian museums, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights' project seeks to deepen public understanding of America's troubled past.

Driving the news: A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Tuesday for the 24,000-square-foot project, which cost around $58 million to build.

• Visitors can check out the updated space starting Saturday.

Zoom in: The center updated its flagship gallery, "Rolls Down Like Water: The American Civil Rights Movement," with new experiences such as the lunch counter simulation.

• Guests sit at the counter, put on headphones and relive the experiences student protesters faced when they organized sit-ins at restaurants.
• Another exhibit, "A Committed Life: The Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection," includes personal papers of the civil rights giant.

What's next: In December, the center will open another exhibit, "Broken Promises: The Legacy of the Reconstruction Era."

• It will include space featuring a marker for the 1918 lynching of Mary Turner. Lonnie Holley will provide an artistic interpretation.

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🚰 Yes, Atlanta's water tastes and smells weird because of the change in seasons, but it's still OK to drink. (AJC)

⚽ Atlanta United has rehired Gerardo "Tata" Martino as its coach. Martino was coach when the team won the 2018 Major League Soccer title. (AP)

UPS has identified the three pilots who were killed in Tuesday's plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky. (AJC)