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With the historic federal government shutdown nears day 38, US airspace is about to get somewhat quieter. Contrastingly for US air travel hubs.

Protective Actions Enacted

Donald Trump’s aviation regulatory body announced flights are being reduced to ensure air traffic control security during the federal government closure, currently the lengthiest in history and with no sign of a solution between GOP lawmakers and Democrats to end the federal budget impasse.

Aviation authorities identified “congested corridors” where the FAA says air traffic requires reduction by 4% by early morning Eastern Time on Friday, an action that will compel airlines to call off thousands of journeys and trigger a cascade of scheduling issues and setbacks at major US air terminals.

Official Statement

The administration's transportation head, Sean Duffy, commented on online platforms Thursday that the move was “unrelated to political motives” but rather “involving evaluation 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 forward-thinking steps we are taking,” he stated.

Flight Cancellations

Experts predict hundreds or even thousands of flights may be scrapped. The cuts might account for as many as 1,800 flights and more than 268,000 seats collectively, per an projection by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Targeted Terminals

The targeted air hubs spanning over 25 states include the busiest ones across the US – such as Georgia's capital, CLT, Colorado's hub, Texas metroplex, Orlando, California gateway, Miami and SFO. Among key urban centers – such as NYC, Houston and Illinois hub – several air terminals will be involved.

Each of the three air terminals operating in the DC metro – IAD, BWI Airport and Reagan National – will be affected, certainly generating schedule changes for government officials as well as other travelers.

Related Updates

• This is the list of US airports decreasing flights on Friday as a result of federal government funding lapse.
• An ex-DOJ worker who threw a sandwich at a federal officer during Donald Trump’s law enforcement presence in Washington DC was found not guilty of assault by a DC jury on Thursday representing a recent legal rejection of the federal intervention.
• Certain Democratic lawmakers interpreted Tuesday’s big electoral wins as indication they should stand firm and secure the best deal from Republicans before agreeing to end the record-breaking budget standoff in history.
• Liberal lawmakers commended Nancy Pelosi as a “bold, groundbreaking” member of the US House of Representatives, an “symbol” and the “finest presiding officer in American history”, following her statement that after 20 terms in Congress she intends to step down.
• Kevin Roberts, the chief of the conservative thinktank behind the policy blueprint, has apologized for endorsing the host's interview with Hitler admirer Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to resign.