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As the unprecedented federal government closure nears day 38, US airspace will become a little less busy. Contrastingly for US air travel hubs.

Precautionary Steps Enacted

Donald Trump’s air traffic agency has said air travel is being curtailed to uphold air traffic control operational integrity during the federal government funding lapse, now the longest recorded and with no sign of a solution between Republicans and Democrats to end the federal budget deadlock.

Aviation authorities pinpointed “congested corridors” where the FAA says air traffic must be reduced by 4% by 6am ET on Friday, a step requiring airlines to scrub numerous flights and create a chain reaction of scheduling problems and setbacks at major US air terminals.

Official Statement

The federal transportation leader, Sean Duffy, commented on online platforms Thursday that the decision was “unrelated to political motives” but rather “involving evaluation the data and alleviating growing safety concerns in the system as controllers continue working without pay”.

“Air travel remains secure today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the preventive measures we are taking,” Duffy added.

Flight Cancellations

Experts predict hundreds or even thousands of flights could be canceled. The cuts could represent approximately 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats total, per an projection by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Affected Airports

The involved terminals including more than two dozen states include the most trafficked across the US – including ATL, CLT, DEN, Texas metroplex, Florida destination, LAX, MIA and San Francisco. Among key urban centers – like NYC, Texas city and Chicago – several air terminals will be involved.

Each of the three air terminals operating in the Washington DC area – Dulles Airport, BWI and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be involved, likely creating schedule changes for government officials as well as the flying public.

Additional Developments

• Below is the roster of domestic airports cutting flights on Friday due to federal government shutdown.
• A previous justice department staffer who tossed food at a federal officer during the administration's law enforcement surge in Washington DC was acquitted of assault by a DC jury on Thursday representing a recent legal rejection of the federal intervention.
• Several liberal representatives interpreted Tuesday’s big electoral wins as proof they should hold the line and extract as much as possible from GOP members before consenting to conclude the record-breaking budget standoff in history.
• Liberal lawmakers commended Nancy Pelosi as a “heroic, trailblazing” member of the US House of Representatives, an “legend” and the “greatest speaker in American history”, following her declaration that following two decades in Congress she intends to step down.
• The conservative leader, the leader of the right-leaning policy organization behind Project 2025, has apologized for supporting the commentator's interview with Hitler fan Nick Fuentes, but is rejecting appeals to step down.