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Amid the record-breaking federal government shutdown approaches day 38, US skies will become somewhat quieter. The same cannot be said for US airports.

Precautionary Steps Enacted

The current administration's air traffic agency has said air travel is being curtailed to ensure air traffic control operational integrity during the federal government funding lapse, setting a new duration record and with little indication of a resolution between GOP lawmakers and Democrats to end the federal budget deadlock.

Airline regulators selected “congested corridors” where the FAA says air traffic requires reduction by 4% by 6am ET on Friday, a step requiring airlines to scrub numerous flights and create a chain reaction of scheduling problems and setbacks at some of the nation’s largest airports.

Official Statement

The administration's transportation head, Sean Duffy, wrote on X Thursday that the decision was “unrelated to political motives” but rather “concerned with reviewing the data and alleviating growing safety concerns 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 forward-thinking steps we are taking,” the official added.

Travel Disruptions

Specialists anticipate numerous potentially thousands of flights might be called off. These reductions could represent up to 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 more than two dozen states include the most trafficked across the US – such as Georgia's capital, North Carolina's city, DEN, DFW, Orlando, LAX, Florida hotspot and SFO. Among key urban centers – like New York, Houston and Illinois hub – several air terminals will be involved.

All three airports serving the Washington DC area – Washington Dulles international, Baltimore/Washington international and DCA – will be impacted, certainly generating delays and cancellations for elected representatives as well as additional passengers.

Other Developments

• Below is the roster of domestic airports cutting flights on Friday due to federal government funding lapse.
• An ex-DOJ worker who tossed food at a federal agent during Donald Trump’s law enforcement presence in Washington DC was found not guilty of assault by a DC jury on Thursday in the latest legal rebuke of the federal involvement.
• Several liberal representatives saw Tuesday’s big electoral wins as evidence they should hold the line and secure the best deal from Republicans before agreeing to end the longest government shutdown in history.
• Democratic officials lauded Nancy Pelosi as a “heroic, trailblazing” member of the US House of Representatives, an “icon” and the “finest presiding officer in American history”, after her statement that after 20 terms in Congress she plans to retire.
• Kevin Roberts, the leader of the right-leaning policy organization behind the policy blueprint, expressed regret for backing Tucker Carlson’s interview with Hitler supporter Nick Fuentes, but is rejecting appeals to leave his position.