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As the unprecedented federal government shutdown nears day 38, US airspace are set to become somewhat quieter. This doesn't apply for US airports.

Precautionary Steps Put in Place

Donald Trump’s air traffic agency has said flights are being reduced to uphold air traffic control safety during the federal government funding lapse, setting a new duration record and with no sign of a agreement between Republicans and Democrats to end the federal budget deadlock.

Aviation authorities identified “congested corridors” where the FAA says air traffic needs cutting by 4% by 6am ET on Friday, a move that would force airlines to cancel thousands of flights and cause a chain reaction of scheduling problems and setbacks at some of the nation’s largest airports.

Government Commentary

The administration's transportation head, Sean Duffy, stated on social media Thursday that the move was “not politically driven” but rather “involving evaluation the data and alleviating building risk in the system as controllers continue working without pay”.

“It’s safe to fly today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the forward-thinking steps we are taking,” Duffy remarked.

Travel Disruptions

Specialists anticipate hundreds or even thousands of flights may be scrapped. The flight decreases could represent approximately 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats collectively, per an calculation by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Impacted Locations

The targeted air hubs including more than two dozen states include the highest-volume locations across the US – featuring Atlanta, Charlotte, Colorado's hub, DFW, Orlando, LAX, Miami and San Francisco. Within major metropolitan areas – such as NYC, Texas city and Illinois hub – several air terminals will be involved.

All three airports operating in the nation's capital region – Washington Dulles international, BWI Airport and DCA – will be affected, likely creating delays and cancellations for elected representatives as well as other travelers.

Additional Developments

• Below is the roster of domestic airports reducing air travel on Friday as a result of federal government shutdown.
• A previous justice department staffer who tossed food at a federal agent during the administration's law enforcement surge in DC was found not guilty of assault by a DC jury on Thursday in the latest legal setback of the federal involvement.
• Some Democratic legislators viewed Tuesday’s significant election victories as evidence they should hold the line and gain maximum concessions from GOP members before approving the termination of the longest government shutdown in history.
• Liberal lawmakers commended Nancy Pelosi as a “courageous, pioneering” member of the US House of Representatives, an “symbol” and the “finest presiding officer in American history”, subsequent to her declaration that post twenty congressional sessions in Congress she will leave office.
• The thinktank head, the leader of the right-leaning policy organization behind the conservative initiative, has apologized for endorsing the commentator's interview with Hitler admirer Nick Fuentes, but is declining demands to step down.