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Amid the record-breaking federal government shutdown stretches toward day 38, US skies will become somewhat quieter. Contrastingly for US airports.

Safety Measures Enacted

The federal air traffic agency stated air travel is being curtailed to ensure air traffic control security during the federal government funding lapse, setting a new duration record and with little indication of a resolution between Republicans and Democrats to end the federal budget deadlock.

Aviation authorities identified “busiest routes” where the FAA says air traffic needs cutting by 4% by early morning Eastern Time on Friday, an action that will compel airlines to scrub numerous flights and cause a chain reaction of scheduling complications and hold-ups at major US air terminals.

Administration Remarks

The administration's transportation head, Sean Duffy, commented on social media Thursday that the move was “unrelated to political motives” but rather “concerned with reviewing the data and mitigating building risk in the system as air traffic professionals continue working without pay”.

“Air travel remains secure today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the preventive measures we are taking,” Duffy added.

Flight Cancellations

Experts predict hundreds if not thousands of flights could be canceled. The flight decreases could represent up to 1,800 flights and over 268,000 seats total, per an estimate by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Affected Airports

The targeted air hubs including numerous states include the busiest ones across the US – featuring ATL, CLT, Denver, DFW, MCO, Los Angeles, MIA and Bay Area airport. Within major metropolitan areas – including NYC, Texas city and Illinois hub – various airports will be affected.

All three airports operating in the DC metro – Washington Dulles international, BWI and Reagan National – will be impacted, inevitably causing schedule changes for elected representatives as well as additional passengers.

Related Updates

• This is the roster of domestic airports reducing air travel on Friday due to federal government shutdown.
• A previous justice department staffer who tossed food at a federal officer during Donald Trump’s law enforcement surge in the capital was acquitted of assault by a DC jury on Thursday marking another legal rebuke of the federal action.
• Some Democratic legislators saw Tuesday’s major voting successes as indication they should maintain their position and secure the best deal from conservative lawmakers before approving the termination of the lengthiest federal closure in history.
• Democratic officials lauded Nancy Pelosi as a “courageous, pioneering” member of the US House of Representatives, an “legend” and the “most accomplished leader in American history”, after her statement that following two decades in Congress she will leave office.
• Kevin Roberts, the chief of the right-leaning policy organization behind the conservative initiative, has apologized for supporting Tucker Carlson’s interview with Hitler supporter Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to step down.