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As the historic federal government shutdown stretches toward day 38, US skies are set to become less congested. This doesn't apply for US terminals.

Safety Measures Implemented

The current administration's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced flight numbers are being lowered to maintain air traffic control operational integrity during the federal government closure, currently the lengthiest in history and with no apparent progress of a agreement between Republicans and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget impasse.

Flight oversight bodies pinpointed “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic must be reduced by 4% by 6 a.m. Eastern on Friday, a step requiring airlines to cancel thousands of flights and trigger a series of scheduling issues and delays at some of the nation’s largest airports.

Government Commentary

The federal transportation leader, Sean Duffy, stated on social media Thursday that the decision was “not about politics” but rather “involving evaluation the data and reducing growing safety concerns in the system as air traffic professionals continue working without pay”.

“Air travel remains secure today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the proactive actions we are taking,” the official added.

Airline Cutbacks

Experts predict hundreds if not thousands of flights might be called off. These reductions may constitute approximately 1,800 flights and over 268,000 seats total, per an estimate by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Impacted Locations

The targeted air hubs including more than two dozen states include the most trafficked across the US – including Georgia's capital, North Carolina's city, DEN, DFW, MCO, Los Angeles, Florida hotspot and Bay Area airport. In some of the biggest cities – such as NYC, Houston and Illinois hub – various airports will be impacted.

The trio of airports operating in the Washington DC area – IAD, BWI and Reagan National – will be impacted, certainly generating schedule changes for elected representatives as well as additional passengers.

Other Developments

• This is the roster of domestic airports reducing air travel on Friday because of federal government funding lapse.
• An ex-DOJ worker who threw a sandwich at a government officer during the current law enforcement increase in Washington DC was acquitted of assault by a DC jury on Thursday marking another legal rebuke of the federal intervention.
• Certain Democratic lawmakers interpreted Tuesday’s big electoral wins as evidence they should maintain their position and extract as much as possible from conservative lawmakers before agreeing to end the lengthiest federal closure in history.
• Liberal lawmakers commended Nancy Pelosi as a “courageous, pioneering” member of the US House of Representatives, an “legend” and the “greatest speaker in American history”, subsequent to her declaration that following two decades in Congress she plans to retire.
• Kevin Roberts, the director of the political research group behind the conservative initiative, has apologized for endorsing the host's interview with Hitler admirer Nick Fuentes, but is rejecting appeals to leave his position.