Direct answer: At this moment, there isn’t a single universally fixed list of airports permanently “affected by a government shutdown,” because the specific airports and the extent of disruption can change as negotiations unfold and as the FAA implements any flight-reduction measures. However, during the most recent shutdown events, the FAA planned to reduce flights by about 10% at a group of about 40 high-traffic airports, with the core hubs (often referred to as the “Core 30” plus additional markets) being the primary targets. The impacted airports typically include major New York area airports (JFK, LaGuardia, Newark), Chicago O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Denver, Seattle, Miami, Houston, and several others across the country, sometimes extending to airports like Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky (CVG), Orlando, Las Vegas, and Newark, among others on the extended list. Because the list can change and official confirmations are issued by the FAA, airlines, and government updates, travelers should monitor the latest FAA notices and reputable outlets for the current roster and any scheduled reductions. Key actions for travelers
- Check official FAA notices and the U.S. Department of Transportation flight advisories for the latest list of affected airports and the expected flight reductions [web sources from major outlets and FAA advisories in the latest coverage].
- Review your airline’s communication and rebook options early, since carriers may adjust schedules to minimize disruption at affected hubs [airline communications and industry statements].
- If flying through or into any of the major hubs on the current list, plan for potential delays and consider arriving earlier than usual, using flexible travel options where available [travel advisories and airline guidance].
If you’d like, I can pull a current, authoritative list of the airports affected from the latest FAA advisories and major outlets and summarize which airports are on the list today, with the expected percentage reductions and any notes on operations.
