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With the historic federal government closure stretches toward day 38, US skies will become a little less busy. The same cannot be said for US airports.

Safety Measures Implemented

The current administration's air traffic agency announced flights are being reduced to uphold air traffic control operational integrity during the federal government funding lapse, now the longest recorded and with little indication of a resolution between conservative legislators and Democrats to end the federal budget deadlock.

Aviation authorities selected “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic needs cutting by 4% by 6 a.m. Eastern on Friday, a move that would force airlines to call off thousands of journeys and cause a chain reaction of scheduling issues and hold-ups at some of the nation’s largest airports.

Administration Remarks

Trump’s transportation chief, Sean Duffy, stated on social media Thursday that the decision was “not about politics” but rather “concerned with reviewing the data and alleviating 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 forward-thinking steps we are taking,” he stated.

Airline Cutbacks

Experts predict hundreds if not thousands of flights might be called off. These reductions may constitute as many as 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats combined, based on an calculation by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Impacted Locations

The targeted air hubs including numerous states include the highest-volume locations across the US – such as Georgia's capital, Charlotte, Denver, DFW, MCO, LAX, Florida hotspot and Bay Area airport. In some of the biggest cities – like New York, Houston and Illinois hub – several air terminals will be affected.

The trio of airports serving the DC metro – IAD, Baltimore/Washington international and Reagan National – will be involved, certainly generating delays and cancellations for lawmakers as well as additional passengers.

Additional Developments

• This is the roster of domestic airports reducing air travel on Friday because of federal government funding lapse.
• An ex-DOJ worker who hurled a sandwich at a federal agent during the current law enforcement surge in the capital was acquitted of assault by a DC jury on Thursday representing a recent legal rebuke of the federal action.
• Some Democratic legislators interpreted Tuesday’s significant election victories as proof they should maintain their position and gain maximum concessions from conservative lawmakers before agreeing to end the record-breaking budget standoff in history.
• Democratic officials lauded Nancy Pelosi as a “courageous, pioneering” member of the US House of Representatives, an “icon” and the “greatest speaker in American history”, following her announcement that after 20 terms in Congress she will leave office.
• The conservative leader, the director of the right-leaning policy organization behind Project 2025, has apologized for backing the host's interview with Hitler fan Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to resign.