A significant wave of flight cancellations and delays is poised to impact air travel across the United States, a direct consequence of the ongoing federal government shutdown.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mandated a reduction in operations at approximately 40 major U.S. airports to alleviate mounting pressure on the nation’s air traffic control system.

This unprecedented move aims to maintain safety margins as critical personnel, including air traffic controllers and aviation safety inspectors, are forced to work without pay.

The operational slowdown stems from a shortage of unpaid air traffic controllers reporting for duty, creating a scenario where the system cannot safely handle its typical volume.

Aviation analytics firm Cirium projects the disruption could affect as many as 1,800 flights and 268,000 passenger seats, creating a ripple effect of delays and cancellations nationwide. CBS News has obtained a preliminary list of airports slated for reductions, revealing the extensive geographic scope of the impending disruptions and highlighting impacts from coast to coast.

The following is the full preliminary list of affected airports, presented in alphabetical order by airport code:

• ANC – Anchorage International

• ATL – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International

• BOS – Boston Logan International

• BWI – Baltimore/Washington International

• CLT – Charlotte Douglas International

• CVG – Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International

• DAL – Dallas Love

• DCA – Reagan Washington National

• DEN – Denver International

• DFW – Dallas/Fort Worth International

• DTW – Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County

• EWR – Newark Liberty International

• FLL – Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International

• HNL – Honolulu International

• HOU – Houston Hobby

• IAD – Washington Dulles International

• IAH – George Bush Houston Intercontinental

• IND – Indianapolis International

• JFK – New York John F. Kennedy International

• LAS – Las Vegas Harry Reid International

• LAX – Los Angeles International

• LGA – New York LaGuardia

• MCO – Orlando International

• MDW – Chicago Midway

• MEM – Memphis International

• MIA – Miami International

• MSP – Minneapolis/St. Paul International

• OAK – Oakland International

• ONT – Ontario International

• ORD – Chicago O’Hare International

• PDX – Portland International

• PHL – Philadelphia International

• PHX – Phoenix Sky Harbor International

• SAN – San Diego International

• SDF – Louisville International

• SEA – Seattle/Tacoma International

• SFO – San Francisco International

• SLC – Salt Lake City International

• TEB – Teterboro

• TPA – Tampa International

In response to the federal directive, major carriers are scrambling to minimize traveler chaos. Both Delta Air Lines and American Airlines have issued statements assuring the public that they anticipate the “vast majority” of their customers will reach their destinations as planned.

Delta confirmed it is complying with the FAA order but expects to operate most of its schedule, with all long-haul international flights currently unaffected. To accommodate passengers, airlines are implementing flexible travel waiver policies.

Affected travelers are being offered increased flexibility to change or cancel their flights without penalty, a measure that includes even the most restrictive basic economy fares. Passengers with trips booked in the coming days are strongly urged to check their flight status directly with their airline early and often before heading to the airport.

While the airlines are working to cushion the blow, the situation remains fluid, and travelers should prepare for potential disruptions as the government shutdown continues to test the resilience of the national airspace.