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As the historic federal government shutdown approaches day 38, US airspace is about to get a little less busy. This doesn't apply for US terminals.

Safety Measures Enacted

Donald Trump’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has said air travel is being curtailed to uphold air traffic control security during the federal government funding lapse, now the longest recorded and with no apparent progress of a agreement between conservative legislators and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget standoff.

Airline regulators identified “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic must be reduced by 4% by early morning Eastern Time on Friday, a step requiring airlines to call off thousands of journeys and cause a cascade of scheduling problems and hold-ups at major US air terminals.

Government Commentary

The federal transportation leader, Sean Duffy, stated on X Thursday that the move was “not about politics” but rather “about assessing the data and mitigating accumulating danger in the system as controllers continue working without pay”.

“Flying is safe today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the proactive actions we are taking,” Duffy added.

Travel Disruptions

Experts predict numerous potentially thousands of flights may be scrapped. These reductions may constitute approximately 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats total, per an calculation by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Affected Airports

The targeted air hubs including over 25 states include the most trafficked across the US – featuring ATL, North Carolina's city, Colorado's hub, Texas metroplex, Orlando, Los Angeles, Miami and San Francisco. Among key urban centers – such as New York, Houston and Illinois hub – several air terminals will be impacted.

All three airports operating in the DC metro – IAD, BWI and DCA – will be affected, certainly generating flight disruptions for lawmakers as well as other travelers.

Other Developments

• Here’s the list of US airports reducing air travel on Friday due to federal government shutdown.
• A previous justice department staffer who hurled a sandwich at a government officer during the current law enforcement presence in DC received a not guilty verdict of assault by a DC jury on Thursday marking another legal rejection of the federal intervention.
• Certain Democratic lawmakers interpreted Tuesday’s big electoral wins as proof they should maintain their position and secure the best deal from Republicans before consenting to conclude the longest government shutdown in history.
• Democratic officials lauded Nancy Pelosi as a “bold, groundbreaking” member of the US House of Representatives, an “icon” and the “finest presiding officer in American history”, subsequent to her announcement that following two decades in Congress she plans to retire.
• The conservative leader, the chief of the right-leaning policy organization behind the conservative initiative, expressed regret for backing the commentator's interview with Hitler admirer Nick Fuentes, but is rejecting appeals to leave his position.