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Amid the unprecedented federal government shutdown stretches toward day 38, US skies will become somewhat quieter. The same cannot be said for US airports.

Safety Measures Enacted

The federal aviation regulatory body stated flight numbers are being lowered to maintain air traffic control safety during the federal government shutdown, currently the lengthiest in history and with little indication of a agreement between GOP lawmakers and Democrats to end the federal budget impasse.

Flight oversight bodies selected “busiest routes” where the FAA says air traffic must be reduced by 4% by early morning Eastern Time on Friday, a step requiring airlines to scrub numerous flights and trigger a cascade of scheduling problems and setbacks at key American travel hubs.

Official Statement

The administration's transportation head, Sean Duffy, commented on X Thursday that the action was “unrelated to political motives” but rather “concerned with reviewing the data and reducing growing safety concerns in the system as flight directors continue working without pay”.

“Air travel remains secure today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the proactive actions we are taking,” Duffy stated.

Airline Cutbacks

Experts predict numerous potentially 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 projection by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Targeted Terminals

The involved terminals spanning numerous states include the most trafficked across the US – including Georgia's capital, Charlotte, Denver, Texas metroplex, MCO, California gateway, Florida hotspot and San Francisco. Within major metropolitan areas – like NYC, Houston and Chicago – various airports will be affected.

The trio of airports serving the nation's capital region – IAD, BWI Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be impacted, likely creating schedule changes for lawmakers as well as additional passengers.

Other Developments

• Here’s the list of US airports reducing air travel on Friday as a result of federal government shutdown.
• A former Department of Justice employee who hurled a sandwich at a government officer during Donald Trump’s law enforcement surge in Washington DC was acquitted of assault by a DC jury on Thursday marking another legal rejection of the federal intervention.
• Some Democratic legislators saw Tuesday’s significant election victories as indication they should hold the line and extract as much as possible from Republicans before agreeing to end the lengthiest federal closure in history.
• Democrats praised Nancy Pelosi as a “bold, groundbreaking” member of the US House of Representatives, an “legend” and the “most accomplished leader in American history”, subsequent to her declaration that following two decades in Congress she intends to step down.
• Kevin Roberts, the director of the right-leaning policy organization behind the conservative initiative, issued an apology for supporting the commentator's interview with Hitler supporter Nick Fuentes, but is rejecting appeals to resign.