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As the record-breaking federal government shutdown nears day 38, US airspace will become a little less busy. The same cannot be said for US air travel hubs.

Precautionary Steps Implemented

Donald Trump’s air traffic agency has said air travel is being curtailed to ensure air traffic control operational integrity during the federal government funding lapse, now the longest recorded and with little indication of a solution between conservative legislators and liberal officials to end the federal budget impasse.

Flight oversight bodies identified “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic must be reduced by 4% by 6am ET on Friday, a step requiring airlines to call off thousands of journeys and trigger a series of scheduling complications and hold-ups at major US air terminals.

Official Statement

Trump’s transportation chief, Sean Duffy, wrote on X Thursday that the action was “not about politics” but rather “involving evaluation the data and reducing 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 remarked.

Airline Cutbacks

Experts predict hundreds if not thousands of flights might be called off. These reductions could represent up to 1,800 flights and over 268,000 seats combined, based on an calculation by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Impacted Locations

The targeted air hubs spanning more than two dozen states include the highest-volume locations across the US – such as ATL, CLT, DEN, DFW, Orlando, Los Angeles, MIA and SFO. Within major metropolitan areas – including NYC, Houston and Chicago – various airports will be involved.

Each of the three air terminals serving the Washington DC area – IAD, BWI and Reagan National – will be involved, likely creating schedule changes for government officials as well as the flying public.

Other Developments

• Below is the roster of domestic airports cutting flights on Friday as a result of federal government closure.
• An ex-DOJ worker who tossed food at a federal agent during the administration's law enforcement surge in Washington DC was found not guilty of assault by a DC jury on Thursday marking another legal rejection of the federal intervention.
• Certain Democratic lawmakers viewed Tuesday’s big electoral wins as evidence they should hold the line and gain maximum concessions from Republicans before agreeing to end the longest government shutdown in history.
• Liberal lawmakers commended Nancy Pelosi as a “bold, groundbreaking” member of the US House of Representatives, an “legend” and the “finest presiding officer in American history”, following her declaration that post twenty congressional sessions in Congress she plans to retire.
• Kevin Roberts, the chief of the conservative thinktank behind the conservative initiative, issued an apology for backing the commentator's interview with Hitler admirer Nick Fuentes, but is declining demands to leave his position.