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As the historic federal government standoff nears day 38, US airspace are set to become less congested. The same cannot be said for US air travel hubs.

Safety Measures Implemented

Donald Trump’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced flights are being reduced to ensure air traffic control safety during the federal government funding lapse, now the longest recorded and with little indication of a resolution between Republicans and Democrats to end the federal budget deadlock.

Aviation authorities selected “busiest routes” where the FAA says air traffic needs cutting by 4% by 6am ET on Friday, a move that would force airlines to call off thousands of journeys and create a cascade of scheduling issues and delays at key American travel hubs.

Government Commentary

Trump’s transportation chief, Sean Duffy, wrote on social media Thursday that the decision was “not politically driven” but rather “involving evaluation the data and reducing growing safety concerns in the system as flight directors continue working without pay”.

“Flying is safe today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the forward-thinking steps we are taking,” Duffy stated.

Flight Cancellations

Analysts forecast hundreds if not thousands of flights might be called off. The cuts might account for as many as 1,800 flights and over 268,000 seats combined, based on an projection by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Affected Airports

The targeted air hubs covering numerous states include the most trafficked across the US – featuring Georgia's capital, CLT, Denver, Texas metroplex, Orlando, LAX, MIA and San Francisco. Among key urban centers – such as NYC, Texas city and Illinois hub – various airports will be involved.

All three airports operating in the nation's capital region – Dulles Airport, BWI and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be affected, likely creating delays and cancellations for government officials as well as additional passengers.

Other Developments

• Below is the roster of domestic airports reducing air travel on Friday due to federal government shutdown.
• A previous justice department staffer who threw a sandwich at a federal agent during Donald Trump’s law enforcement increase in DC was found not guilty of assault by a DC jury on Thursday in the latest legal rebuke of the federal action.
• Some Democratic legislators interpreted Tuesday’s major voting successes as evidence 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 “heroic, trailblazing” member of the US House of Representatives, an “icon” and the “finest presiding officer in American history”, after her announcement that after 20 terms in Congress she intends to step down.
• The conservative leader, the chief of the right-leaning policy organization behind Project 2025, has apologized for endorsing Tucker Carlson’s interview with Hitler admirer Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to resign.