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

Protective Actions Enacted

The federal Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced flights are being reduced to ensure air traffic control safety 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.

Aviation authorities selected “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic must be reduced by 4% by 6am ET on Friday, a move that would force airlines to cancel thousands of flights and trigger a chain reaction of scheduling problems and setbacks at some of the nation’s largest airports.

Government Commentary

Trump’s transportation chief, Sean Duffy, stated on online platforms Thursday that the move was “not politically driven” but rather “about assessing the data and alleviating accumulating danger in the system as air traffic professionals continue working without pay”.

“Air travel remains secure today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the forward-thinking steps we are taking,” the official added.

Travel Disruptions

Analysts forecast hundreds or even thousands of flights might be called off. The flight decreases might account for as many as 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats collectively, according to an estimate by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Impacted Locations

The involved terminals covering numerous states include the highest-volume locations across the US – including ATL, CLT, Denver, Dallas/Fort Worth, Orlando, Los Angeles, Miami and San Francisco. Within major metropolitan areas – like New York, Houston and Illinois hub – various airports will be impacted.

The trio of airports operating in the Washington DC area – Washington Dulles international, BWI Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be affected, likely creating schedule changes for elected representatives as well as additional passengers.

Additional Developments

• Below is the roster of domestic airports decreasing flights on Friday due to federal government shutdown.
• A previous justice department staffer who threw a sandwich at a federal officer during the administration's law enforcement surge in DC was acquitted of assault by a DC jury on Thursday representing a recent legal rebuke of the federal action.
• Several liberal representatives viewed Tuesday’s major voting successes as indication they should maintain their position and secure the best deal from Republicans before agreeing to end the record-breaking budget standoff in history.
• Democratic officials lauded Nancy Pelosi as a “heroic, trailblazing” member of the US House of Representatives, an “symbol” and the “finest presiding officer in American history”, following her declaration that following two decades in Congress she plans to retire.
• The conservative leader, the director of the conservative thinktank behind the conservative initiative, expressed regret for supporting Tucker Carlson’s interview with Hitler supporter Nick Fuentes, but is rejecting appeals to resign.