Operations smooth at Wichita airport amid flight-cut concerns in big cities

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - The impact of the federal government shutdown on air travel is about to become larger on the heels of the FAA announcing some big flight reductions at major airports nationwide.

In Wichita, it’s status quo at Eisenhower National Airport, where travelers are reporting overall smooth experiences with security and flight schedules. Still, the threat of a 10% reduction in air traffic at 40 of the nation’s largest airports concerns travelers about how air travel will look if the shutdown doesn’t end soon.

For travelers like Jordan Powell, traveling from Orlando to Kansas to hunt, his concern lies with the unknown about what he can expect on his return trip home.

“I got the email [Thursday] from American Airlines saying, ‘Hey, just be expecting. There’s a chance you could get delayed or canceled,’” Powell said.

Airport officials urge patience

In Wichita, airport leadership is working to calm travelers’ nerves concerning the uncertainty.

“So far, staffing levels have remained normal at Eisenhower National Airport, both with FAA air traffic controllers (and) TSA,” said Wichita Airport Authority Director of Airports Jesse Romo.

Romo also advises patience, as situations can change quickly, and even though Wichita isn’t on the FAA’s list of airports that should brace for air traffic reduction, Eisenhower National Airport wouldn’t be immune from the effects.

“When things happen in the system, they have ripple effects. So we may see flight delays and cancellations that could occur somewhere else that impact local operations,” he said.

CBS News compiled this list of airports (by code) that could be impacted by the shutdown. The list is not final and could change as the FAA has not finalized its order requiring airlines to cut their capacity.

1. Anchorage International (ANC)
2. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL)
3. Boston Logan International (BOS)
4. Baltimore/Washington International (BWI)
5. Charlotte Douglas International (CLT)
6. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG)
7. Dallas Love (DAL)
8. Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA)
9. Denver International (DEN)
10. Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW)
11. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW)
12. Newark Liberty International (EWR)
13. Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International (FLL)
14. Honolulu International (HNL)
15. Houston Hobby (HOU)
16. Washington Dulles International (IAD)
17. George Bush Houston Intercontinental (IAH)
18. Indianapolis International (IND)
19. New York John F Kennedy International (JFK)
20. Las Vegas Harry Reid International (LAS)
21. Los Angeles International (LAX)
22. New York LaGuardia (LGA)
23. Orlando International (MCO)
24. Chicago Midway (MDW)
25. Memphis International (MEM)
26. Miami International (MIA)
27. Minneapolis/St Paul International (MSP)
28. Oakland International (OAK)
29. Ontario International (ONT)
30. Chicago O`Hare International (ORD)
31. Portland International (PDX)
32. Philadelphia International (PHL)
33. Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX)
34. San Diego International (SAN)
35. Louisville International (SDF)
36. Seattle/Tacoma International (SEA)
37. San Francisco International (SFO)
38. Salt Lake City International (SLC)
39. Teterboro (TEB)
40. Tampa International (TPA)