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Partial Government Shutdown 2026

As of Jan. 31, 2026, a partial government shutdown is in effect. Nashville International Airport® remains open, and we want to ensure travelers have clear, accurate information about how federal operations may affect the agencies that support aviation services, including:

  • Department of Transportation (DOT)
  • Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
  • Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
  • Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

At BNA®, your safety and security remain our top priority. We are working closely with our federal partners to keep airport operations running smoothly and to support your travel experience.

It is imperative that travelers understand that airports do not anticipate immediate impacts to day-to-day operations, as most Federal personnel working on-site are classified as exempt—or essential—and are required to continue reporting for duty without pay. Even so, a prolonged partial shutdown can still create operational strain for federal agencies and lead to broader economic effects within local and regional communities.

BNA does not issue ground stops or ground delays; those decisions are made solely by the FAA.

Apart from FAA‑directed ground stops, airlines independently decide whether to delay or cancel their flights.

Passengers are encouraged to monitor their flight status directly with their airlines.

Check Flight Status | Airline Information

Each federal department develops contingency plans in the event of a lapse in appropriations. However, the level of discretion granted to agency leaders during this potential partial government shutdown is not yet clear. The information provided below reflects anticipated impacts based on prior partial shutdowns and existing federal plans. It does not yet account for any new measures that could be implemented during this period.

  • DOT/FAA: Sept. 30, 2025 contingency guidance here.
    • Anticipated exempt program/activities (funding comes from sources outside of annual appropriations, i.e. Airport and Airway Trust Fund):
      • Airport inspections
      • Existing airport development grants
      • Activities and personnel funded by Division J of IIJAPFC approvals
      • Airport planning and environmental services funded through AIP contract authority
      • ATC controller training at the Academy
    • Anticipated excepted programs/activities (essential—report for duty without pay):
      • Air traffic control services
      • Flight Standards field inspections
      • Maintenance and operation of NAVAIDS
      • On-call accident investigations
      • Airworthiness directives and aircraft/airman registry
    • Anticipated non-excepted programs/activities (non-essential— furloughed)
      • ATC controller hiring
      • Aviation rulemaking
      • Law enforcement assistance support
    • Programs with multi-year appropriations also continue: Essential Air Service, Build America Bureau TIFIA direct loans and guarantees, etc.
  • DHS/TSA/CBP: Sept. 30, 2025 contingency guidance here.
    • Anticipated exempt programs/activities:
      • TSA screening passengers and baggage
      • TSA vetting of applicants for or individuals renewing SIDA badges
      • Border security and technology (which could cover a variety of CBP programs and resource deployments)
    • Anticipated exempt personnel (essential—report for duty without pay):
      • FSDs, FAMS, TSOs, Canine Handlers, TSIs
      • Contractors who repair and maintain screening equipment
      • CBP officers at airports
    • Unknown non-excepted programs/activities (non-essential—furloughed):
      • FLETC training (i.e. training for new CBP officers)
    • Anticipated non-excepted programs/activities (non-essential— furloughed):
      • FLETC training (recurrent training and supervisory training)

 

  Federal Agency Contacts: