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Amid the unprecedented federal government shutdown approaches day 38, US skies are set to become a little less busy. Contrastingly for US terminals.

Safety Measures Enacted

Donald Trump’s air traffic agency announced flight numbers are being lowered to maintain air traffic control security during the federal government shutdown, currently the lengthiest in history and with little indication of a agreement between GOP lawmakers 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 6am ET on Friday, a step requiring airlines to call off thousands of journeys and trigger a cascade of scheduling problems and hold-ups at key American travel hubs.

Official Statement

The federal transportation leader, Sean Duffy, commented on X Thursday that the move was “unrelated to political motives” but rather “about assessing the data and mitigating 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,” he added.

Airline Cutbacks

Experts predict hundreds or even thousands of flights may be scrapped. These reductions may constitute approximately 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats combined, based on an projection by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Targeted Terminals

The targeted air hubs covering over 25 states include the highest-volume locations across the US – featuring Georgia's capital, North Carolina's city, Colorado's hub, Dallas/Fort Worth, Florida destination, LAX, MIA and SFO. Within major metropolitan areas – like New York, Houston and Illinois hub – several air terminals will be affected.

All three airports operating in the Washington DC area – Dulles Airport, Baltimore/Washington international and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be affected, inevitably causing delays and cancellations for government officials as well as the flying public.

Other Developments

• This is the roster of domestic airports reducing air travel on Friday because of federal government closure.
• An ex-DOJ worker who tossed food at a federal officer during the administration's law enforcement surge in the capital was found not guilty of assault by a DC jury on Thursday marking another legal setback of the federal action.
• Several liberal representatives saw Tuesday’s big electoral wins as evidence they should stand firm and secure the best deal from conservative lawmakers before consenting to conclude the lengthiest federal closure in history.
• Democratic officials lauded Nancy Pelosi as a “courageous, pioneering” member of the US House of Representatives, an “legend” and the “finest presiding officer in American history”, subsequent to her statement that post twenty congressional sessions in Congress she plans to retire.
• Kevin Roberts, the director of the conservative thinktank behind the policy blueprint, issued an apology for supporting the host's interview with Hitler fan Nick Fuentes, but is rejecting appeals to step down.