🔗 Share this article

As the unprecedented federal government shutdown nears day 38, US skies is about to get somewhat quieter. The same cannot be said for US air travel hubs.

Protective Actions Implemented

The current administration's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has said air travel is being curtailed to maintain air traffic control security during the federal government closure, setting a new duration record and with no sign of a agreement between Republicans and liberal officials to end the federal budget impasse.

Airline regulators selected “busiest routes” where the FAA says air traffic must be reduced by 4% by 6am ET on Friday, a move that would force airlines to cancel thousands of flights and cause a cascade of scheduling issues and setbacks at major US air terminals.

Government Commentary

The administration's transportation head, Sean Duffy, wrote on online platforms Thursday that the move was “not about politics” but rather “concerned with reviewing the data and mitigating accumulating danger in the system as flight directors continue working without pay”.

“It’s safe to fly 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 could be canceled. The cuts may constitute as many as 1,800 flights and over 268,000 seats combined, per an estimate by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Affected Airports

The targeted air hubs covering more than two dozen states include the most trafficked across the US – featuring Atlanta, Charlotte, Denver, DFW, Orlando, California gateway, Miami and Bay Area airport. Within major metropolitan areas – like NYC, Houston and Chicago – multiple airports will be involved.

Each of the three air terminals serving the nation's capital region – Washington Dulles international, Baltimore/Washington international and Reagan National – will be involved, certainly generating flight disruptions for elected representatives as well as other travelers.

Additional Developments

• This is the compilation of American air terminals reducing air travel on Friday because of federal government closure.
• A former Department of Justice employee who tossed food at a federal agent during the current law enforcement surge in DC was acquitted of assault by a DC jury on Thursday in the latest legal rejection of the federal intervention.
• Certain Democratic lawmakers viewed Tuesday’s major voting successes as evidence they should hold the line and extract as much as possible from Republicans before agreeing to end the record-breaking budget standoff in history.
• Liberal lawmakers commended Nancy Pelosi as a “courageous, pioneering” member of the US House of Representatives, an “icon” and the “most accomplished leader in American history”, following her statement that after 20 terms in Congress she will leave office.
• The conservative leader, the chief of the conservative thinktank behind the conservative initiative, has apologized for supporting the commentator's interview with Hitler fan Nick Fuentes, but is declining demands to resign.