Every major airport in the New York metropolitan area will be closed today to incoming flights, a massive shutdown aimed at preventing thousands of travelers from becoming stranded in a hurricane-battered Big Apple.
Kennedy, Newark Liberty International, Stewart International, La Guardia and Teterboro airports will all be shut at noon today.
“The Port Authority is taking this measure to avoid stranding passengers at its airports when the region’s mass transit systems suspend service [today],” the agency said in a statement.
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The shutdown comes as jittery airlines began mass cancellations of about 4,000 flights to and from New York, New England, and Washington.
At JFK yesterday, hordes of fleeing New Yorkers and tourists crowded the terminals.
“Why risk all sorts of crazy things happening if you can get out?” a Manhattan woman named Samantha said at Kennedy.
The only way Swedish tourist Gannie Ahlors — who was scheduled to leave today — could snag a flight home yesterday was by agreeing to a lengthy layover in Finland.
“I’m an only child and my parents got scared,” said the 25-year-old.
Even tickets to the US Open next week couldn’t keep Scottish tourist Ben McFarlan, 21, around.
“I’m worried about if I get stuck here,” said McFarlan.
The Port Authority is planning for today by stocking up with a surplus of blankets, water bottles and pillows for travelers who become stranded if flights are canceled because of the hurricane.