CHARLOTTE -- American Airlines is once again flying to Puerto Rico as the island continues to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Maria.

The first flight from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport left for San Juan on Friday morning.

Many of the passengers heading to San Juan were emotional, not knowing what to expect when they land.

American Airlines says air traffic control issues and lack of power has proved challenging to get wheels up and over there.

Across the board, they've transported 466,000 tons of relief supplies to the U.S. territory.

There were only 10 passengers boarding the 9:55 flight.

One person said he was hoping to get his father out of Puerto Rico safely. He heeds this warning from a friend stationed down there:

"This is not the place we grew up on. Be mentally prepared for when you come down here because what you're about to see, all I can say is that it looks like when I was in Iraq," said Hector Garcia of Raleigh.

American officials say there is a return flight on Friday evening and that one is currently overbooked with people trying to get off the island and onto the continental U.S.