🔗 Share this article

With the unprecedented federal government shutdown nears day 38, US flight paths will become less congested. The same cannot be said for US terminals.

Safety Measures Put in Place

Donald Trump’s aviation regulatory body stated flight numbers are being lowered to maintain air traffic control safety during the federal government shutdown, setting a new duration record and with little indication of a agreement between GOP lawmakers and liberal officials to end the federal budget deadlock.

Aviation authorities selected “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic requires reduction by 4% by early morning Eastern Time on Friday, an action that will compel airlines to cancel thousands of flights and trigger a cascade of scheduling complications and setbacks at some of the nation’s largest airports.

Government Commentary

The administration's transportation head, Sean Duffy, stated on X Thursday that the action was “not about politics” but rather “about assessing the data and mitigating building risk 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 added.

Airline Cutbacks

Experts predict hundreds or even thousands of flights could be canceled. The cuts might account for approximately 1,800 flights and more than 268,000 seats combined, based on an projection by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Affected Airports

The affected airports covering numerous states include the busiest ones across the US – including Atlanta, CLT, Colorado's hub, Texas metroplex, Orlando, LAX, MIA and SFO. In some of the biggest cities – including New York, Texas city and Chicago – various airports will be affected.

Each of the three air terminals serving the Washington DC area – Washington Dulles international, BWI and DCA – will be impacted, likely creating schedule changes for lawmakers as well as additional passengers.

Other Developments

• Below is the roster of domestic airports reducing air travel on Friday as a result of federal government shutdown.
• A former Department of Justice employee who tossed food at a federal officer during Donald Trump’s law enforcement presence in Washington DC received a not guilty verdict of assault by a DC jury on Thursday representing a recent legal setback of the federal involvement.
• Several liberal representatives saw Tuesday’s big electoral wins as indication they should stand firm and secure the best deal from conservative lawmakers before consenting to conclude the longest government shutdown in history.
• Democratic officials lauded Nancy Pelosi as a “courageous, pioneering” member of the US House of Representatives, an “icon” and the “finest presiding officer in American history”, following her declaration that post twenty congressional sessions in Congress she plans to retire.
• The conservative leader, the leader of the conservative thinktank behind Project 2025, issued an apology for endorsing the commentator's interview with Hitler fan Nick Fuentes, but is rejecting appeals to step down.