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As the historic federal government shutdown approaches day 38, US skies will become a little less busy. This doesn't apply for US air travel hubs.

Protective Actions Put in Place

Donald Trump’s aviation regulatory body stated flights are being reduced to ensure air traffic control security during the federal government funding lapse, now the longest recorded and with no apparent progress of a agreement between conservative legislators and Democrats to end the federal budget impasse.

Aviation authorities selected “busiest routes” where the FAA says air traffic must be reduced by 4% by 6 a.m. Eastern on Friday, a move that would force airlines to call off thousands of journeys and trigger a cascade of scheduling problems and setbacks at major US air terminals.

Official Statement

The administration's transportation head, Sean Duffy, stated on X Thursday that the decision was “unrelated to political motives” but rather “concerned with reviewing the data and reducing accumulating danger in the system as air traffic professionals continue working without pay”.

“Flying is safe today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the proactive actions we are taking,” Duffy added.

Flight Cancellations

Experts predict numerous potentially thousands of flights might be called off. The cuts could represent up to 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats total, based on an estimate by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Targeted Terminals

The affected airports including numerous states include the most trafficked across the US – featuring ATL, Charlotte, Denver, DFW, Florida destination, LAX, Miami and Bay Area airport. Within major metropolitan areas – like New York, Houston and Chicago – several air terminals will be impacted.

Each of the three air terminals operating in the nation's capital region – Dulles Airport, BWI and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be impacted, certainly generating schedule changes for lawmakers as well as additional passengers.

Other Developments

• This is the compilation of American air terminals cutting flights on Friday as a result of federal government funding lapse.
• A former Department of Justice employee who tossed food at a federal officer during the administration's law enforcement surge in DC received a not guilty verdict of assault by a DC jury on Thursday marking another legal rebuke of the federal intervention.
• Some Democratic legislators interpreted Tuesday’s major voting successes as indication they should maintain their position and extract as much as possible from GOP members before consenting to conclude the record-breaking budget standoff in history.
• Democrats praised Nancy Pelosi as a “courageous, pioneering” member of the US House of Representatives, an “legend” and the “greatest speaker in American history”, following her declaration that after 20 terms in Congress she intends to step down.
• Kevin Roberts, the chief of the conservative thinktank behind Project 2025, has apologized for supporting the commentator's interview with Hitler fan Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to resign.