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With the record-breaking federal government shutdown stretches toward day 38, US skies are set to become somewhat quieter. The same cannot be said for US airports.

Safety Measures Put in Place

The current administration's air traffic agency stated flight numbers are being lowered to maintain air traffic control safety during the federal government closure, setting a new duration record and with no apparent progress of a resolution between conservative legislators and liberal officials to end the federal budget impasse.

Aviation authorities selected “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic needs cutting by 4% by 6am ET on Friday, an action that will compel airlines to cancel thousands of flights and create a cascade of scheduling complications and setbacks at major US air terminals.

Government Commentary

Trump’s transportation chief, Sean Duffy, stated on social media Thursday that the decision was “not about politics” but rather “involving evaluation the data and alleviating building risk 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 proactive actions we are taking,” the official added.

Airline Cutbacks

Analysts forecast numerous potentially thousands of flights could be canceled. The flight decreases might account for approximately 1,800 flights and more than 268,000 seats combined, per an calculation by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Affected Airports

The targeted air hubs covering numerous states include the highest-volume locations across the US – featuring ATL, Charlotte, DEN, DFW, MCO, LAX, MIA and SFO. In some of the biggest cities – such as NYC, Texas city and Chicago – various airports will be affected.

All three airports operating in the DC metro – Dulles Airport, BWI and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be affected, likely creating schedule changes for government officials as well as other travelers.

Additional Developments

• Here’s the list of US airports cutting flights on Friday as a result of federal government funding lapse.
• A previous justice department staffer who threw a sandwich at a government officer during the current law enforcement increase in DC received a not guilty verdict of assault by a DC jury on Thursday marking another legal rejection of the federal intervention.
• Some Democratic legislators viewed Tuesday’s major voting successes as indication they should hold the line and gain maximum concessions from Republicans before approving the termination of the lengthiest federal closure in history.
• Democrats praised Nancy Pelosi as a “courageous, pioneering” member of the US House of Representatives, an “icon” and the “greatest speaker in American history”, subsequent to her declaration that post twenty congressional sessions in Congress she intends to step down.
• The conservative leader, the chief of the political research group behind the policy blueprint, issued an apology for endorsing the host's interview with Hitler supporter Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to step down.