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As the record-breaking federal government shutdown stretches toward day 38, US skies are set to become somewhat quieter. This doesn't apply for US terminals.

Safety Measures Put in Place

The federal air traffic agency has said air travel is being curtailed to ensure air traffic control safety during the federal government funding lapse, setting a new duration record and with no apparent progress of a solution between Republicans and liberal officials to end the federal budget standoff.

Flight oversight bodies selected “congested corridors” where the FAA says air traffic requires reduction by 4% by 6 a.m. Eastern on Friday, a step requiring airlines to call off thousands of journeys and create a chain reaction of scheduling problems and setbacks at key American travel hubs.

Government Commentary

Trump’s transportation chief, Sean Duffy, commented on online platforms Thursday that the action was “not about politics” but rather “concerned with reviewing the data and reducing accumulating danger in the system as air traffic professionals continue working without pay”.

“It’s safe to fly today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the preventive measures we are taking,” he added.

Travel Disruptions

Experts predict hundreds if not thousands of flights might be called off. The cuts might account for as many as 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats total, based on an calculation by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Affected Airports

The targeted air hubs including more than two dozen states include the busiest ones across the US – such as Atlanta, CLT, DEN, DFW, MCO, California gateway, Miami and Bay Area airport. Among key urban centers – such as New York, Houston and Illinois hub – several air terminals will be impacted.

Each of the three air terminals serving the Washington DC area – Washington Dulles international, BWI and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be affected, certainly generating flight disruptions for elected representatives as well as additional passengers.

Additional Developments

• Below is the roster of domestic airports decreasing flights on Friday because of federal government closure.
• An ex-DOJ worker who hurled a sandwich at a federal agent during Donald Trump’s law enforcement surge in Washington DC received a not guilty verdict of assault by a DC jury on Thursday representing a recent legal rejection of the federal action.
• Several liberal representatives viewed Tuesday’s big electoral wins as indication they should maintain their position and secure the best deal from conservative lawmakers before agreeing to end the lengthiest federal closure in history.
• Democrats praised Nancy Pelosi as a “heroic, trailblazing” member of the US House of Representatives, an “icon” and the “greatest speaker in American history”, following her statement that after 20 terms in Congress she plans to retire.
• The conservative leader, the leader of the political research group behind the policy blueprint, has apologized for supporting the host's interview with Hitler fan Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to leave his position.