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With the unprecedented federal government standoff approaches day 38, US skies is about to get less congested. The same cannot be said for US terminals.

Protective Actions Enacted

Donald Trump’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has said air travel is being curtailed to maintain air traffic control safety during the federal government shutdown, currently the lengthiest in history and with no apparent progress of a solution between GOP lawmakers and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget standoff.

Aviation authorities identified “busiest routes” where the FAA says air traffic requires reduction by 4% by early morning Eastern Time on Friday, a step requiring airlines to cancel thousands of flights and create a cascade of scheduling problems and delays at key American travel hubs.

Administration Remarks

The administration's transportation head, Sean Duffy, stated on social media Thursday that the action was “not about politics” but rather “about assessing the data and alleviating accumulating danger in the system as controllers continue working without pay”.

“It’s safe to fly today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the proactive actions we are taking,” the official added.

Travel Disruptions

Experts predict numerous potentially thousands of flights might be called off. These reductions may constitute approximately 1,800 flights and over 268,000 seats collectively, based on an projection by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Impacted Locations

The targeted air hubs covering over 25 states include the most trafficked across the US – such as ATL, North Carolina's city, Colorado's hub, Dallas/Fort Worth, MCO, Los Angeles, MIA and San Francisco. Among key urban centers – including New York, Texas city and Illinois hub – several air terminals will be involved.

The trio of airports operating in the DC metro – IAD, BWI Airport and DCA – will be involved, certainly generating flight disruptions for lawmakers as well as the flying public.

Related Updates

• Here’s the list of US airports reducing air travel on Friday as a result of federal government funding lapse.
• A previous justice department staffer who hurled a sandwich at a federal officer during the current law enforcement increase in Washington DC received a not guilty verdict of assault by a DC jury on Thursday marking another legal rebuke of the federal involvement.
• Some Democratic legislators interpreted Tuesday’s big electoral wins as indication they should maintain their position and gain maximum concessions from GOP members before consenting to conclude the lengthiest federal closure in history.
• Democratic officials lauded Nancy Pelosi as a “bold, groundbreaking” member of the US House of Representatives, an “icon” and the “greatest speaker in American history”, subsequent to her announcement that after 20 terms in Congress she plans to retire.
• The conservative leader, the leader of the conservative thinktank behind the policy blueprint, has apologized for endorsing Tucker Carlson’s interview with Hitler supporter Nick Fuentes, but is rejecting appeals to resign.