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Amid the record-breaking federal government closure nears day 38, US skies are set to become less congested. This doesn't apply for US airports.

Safety Measures Put in Place

The current administration's air traffic agency has said air travel is being curtailed to maintain air traffic control safety during the federal government funding lapse, now the longest recorded and with little indication of a solution between conservative legislators and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget impasse.

Airline regulators identified “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic needs cutting by 4% by 6am ET on Friday, a move that would force airlines to scrub numerous flights and trigger a chain reaction of scheduling issues and setbacks at major US air terminals.

Government Commentary

Trump’s transportation chief, Sean Duffy, commented on online platforms Thursday that the move was “not politically driven” 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 preventive measures we are taking,” Duffy added.

Travel Disruptions

Specialists anticipate hundreds or even thousands of flights might be called off. The cuts might account for as many as 1,800 flights and over 268,000 seats combined, based on an estimate by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Impacted Locations

The targeted air hubs covering more than two dozen states include the highest-volume locations across the US – featuring Atlanta, CLT, Colorado's hub, Texas metroplex, MCO, Los Angeles, Miami and SFO. In some of the biggest cities – such as New York, Texas city and Chicago – several air terminals will be affected.

All three airports operating in the Washington DC area – Dulles Airport, BWI Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be affected, likely creating flight disruptions for elected representatives as well as other travelers.

Related Updates

• Here’s the list of US airports decreasing flights on Friday due to federal government funding lapse.
• A previous justice department staffer who tossed food at a government officer during Donald Trump’s law enforcement increase in DC was acquitted of assault by a DC jury on Thursday marking another legal setback of the federal action.
• Certain Democratic lawmakers saw Tuesday’s significant election victories as indication they should hold the line and secure the best deal from Republicans before approving the termination of the record-breaking budget standoff in history.
• Democrats praised Nancy Pelosi as a “heroic, trailblazing” member of the US House of Representatives, an “legend” and the “most accomplished leader in American history”, after her announcement that after 20 terms in Congress she will leave office.
• The thinktank head, the leader of the conservative thinktank behind the conservative initiative, expressed regret for supporting Tucker Carlson’s interview with Hitler supporter Nick Fuentes, but is declining demands to step down.