ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Airports across the state are preparing for an expected increase in air traffic on Monday. Aviation and airport officials have plans in place to keep air travel running smoothly and safely during the eclipse.

On Monday afternoon, millions of people will have their eyes to the sky, and some people will be in the sky when a total solar eclipse turns the light of the day to the darkness of night.

The Federal Aviation Administration and airports alike say they’re prepared for an expected increase in air traffic and have plans in place to keep air travel running smoothly and safely during the eclipse.

"We do expect a large number of aircraft that just want to be airborne during the actual eclipse itself…that includes drones," said FAA Aviation Safety Expert Kevin Morris.

Morris says the organization will continue to inform pilots and other aviation officials of any possible impacts to air traffic and airports along the eclipse path.

"Pilots are well used to flying at night and are aware of all the restrictions and additional challenges that come at night, albeit this will be a very short night in a very limited part of the country," he said. "But certainly, pilots are well equipped to handle that type of flying, that type of operation."

Specifically, officials are keeping watch on an anticipated increase of smaller sized planes and drones.

At Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport, plans for the eclipse have been in the works for months.

"So we’re as prepared as can be for Monday the 8th of April," said Airport Director Andy Moore. "We are expecting to see an increase in your general aviation aircraft come in. Those are your single engine aircraft such as your pipers and Cessnas, 2 seaters, 4 seaters – over on the general aviation side of the airport."

A big part of the planning focuses on the adjustment of the airport lighting to the changes in light that will come with the eclipse.

"We’ll be turning on manually some ramp lighting for safety reasons out on the commercial side, some roadway lighting. And other areas of the airport, along with working with air traffic control very closely for runway and taxiway lighting too," said Moore.

"If you happen to be taking off it's going to be pretty dark if you happen to be in that path of totality. So pilots are going to want to use exterior navigation lights, strobes, landing lights to increase your visibility," said Morris.

Keeping track of the aircraft will be the job of the air traffic controllers.

"We are expecting an influx of the smaller general aviation aircraft and air traffic control is going to do their best to monitor that, space all the planes out the best they can and really try to keep the general aviation aircraft away from approach corridors for arrivals and takeoffs of the commercial aircraft," said Moore.

"Of course, from an air traffic control standpoint, we'll be monitoring the airspace ensuring that no sectors have too many aircraft in it because our primary job's to keep that area safe," said Morris.

The FAA expects more than 47,100 total flights across the U.S. in the air on Monday.