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Amid the unprecedented federal government standoff approaches day 38, US airspace is about to get somewhat quieter. The same cannot be said for US terminals.

Safety Measures Put in Place

The current administration's aviation regulatory body stated flights are being reduced to uphold air traffic control security during the federal government shutdown, now the longest recorded and with no apparent progress of a solution between GOP lawmakers and liberal officials to end the federal budget deadlock.

Aviation authorities selected “busiest routes” where the FAA says air traffic must be reduced by 4% by 6 a.m. Eastern on Friday, a move that would force airlines to scrub numerous flights and create a series of scheduling problems and setbacks at major US air terminals.

Administration Remarks

The federal transportation leader, Sean Duffy, wrote on online platforms Thursday that the decision was “not about politics” but rather “about assessing the data and alleviating building risk 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 added.

Airline Cutbacks

Specialists anticipate hundreds or even thousands of flights may be scrapped. The cuts could represent as many as 1,800 flights and over 268,000 seats combined, according to an estimate by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Affected Airports

The targeted air hubs including more than two dozen states include the busiest ones across the US – such as Atlanta, Charlotte, Colorado's hub, DFW, MCO, Los Angeles, Florida hotspot and San Francisco. In some of the biggest cities – including New York, Houston and Illinois hub – several air terminals will be impacted.

All three airports serving the Washington DC area – IAD, Baltimore/Washington international and Reagan National – will be affected, inevitably causing flight disruptions for lawmakers as well as the flying public.

Additional Developments

• Below is the compilation of American air terminals cutting flights on Friday because of federal government funding lapse.
• A former Department of Justice employee who threw a sandwich at a federal officer during the administration's law enforcement surge in Washington DC was found not guilty of assault by a DC jury on Thursday marking another legal setback of the federal involvement.
• Certain Democratic lawmakers saw Tuesday’s big electoral wins as indication they should maintain their position and secure the best deal from conservative lawmakers before approving the termination of the lengthiest federal closure in history.
• Democratic officials lauded Nancy Pelosi as a “courageous, pioneering” member of the US House of Representatives, an “symbol” and the “most accomplished leader in American history”, after her statement that post twenty congressional sessions in Congress she intends to step down.
• The thinktank head, the director of the political research group behind the policy blueprint, expressed regret for endorsing the commentator's interview with Hitler supporter Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to resign.