Thousands of flight cancellations in the USA August 27, 2011 The airline carriers warn that several major airports in New York and Washington, DC, could shut down entirely to guard against Hurricane Irene this weekend. The airline carriers warn that several major airports in New York and Washington, DC, could shut down entirely to guard against Hurricane Irene this weekend. Because the region is home to the nation’s busiest airspace, the cancellations are expected to cause delays at airports across the country starting Saturday, stranding tens of thousands of travelers, many returning from summer vacations. Amtrak, meanwhile, said it planned to cancel most train service south of Washington, DC, through Sunday.