🔗 Share this article

Amid the record-breaking federal government shutdown approaches day 38, US airspace are set to become a little less busy. The same cannot be said for US air travel hubs.

Protective Actions Enacted

Donald Trump’s air traffic agency stated air travel is being curtailed to ensure air traffic control safety during the federal government closure, now the longest recorded and with little indication of a resolution between GOP lawmakers and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget impasse.

Aviation authorities pinpointed “busiest routes” where the FAA says air traffic must be reduced by 4% by 6am ET on Friday, an action that will compel airlines to call off thousands of journeys and cause a cascade of scheduling issues and setbacks at some of the nation’s largest airports.

Official Statement

The federal transportation leader, Sean Duffy, wrote on social media Thursday that the decision was “not politically driven” but rather “about assessing the data and reducing 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.

Flight Cancellations

Specialists anticipate hundreds or even thousands of flights may be scrapped. These reductions could represent up to 1,800 flights and over 268,000 seats collectively, according to an calculation by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Targeted Terminals

The targeted air hubs including numerous states include the busiest ones across the US – including Atlanta, Charlotte, DEN, Texas metroplex, Florida destination, LAX, Florida hotspot and San Francisco. Among key urban centers – including New York, Texas city and Chicago – various airports will be involved.

The trio of airports serving the nation's capital region – Dulles Airport, BWI Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be affected, inevitably causing delays and cancellations for lawmakers as well as additional passengers.

Additional Developments

• Below is the list of US airports cutting flights on Friday as a result of federal government funding lapse.
• An ex-DOJ worker who hurled a sandwich at a federal agent during Donald Trump’s law enforcement presence in Washington DC received a not guilty verdict of assault by a DC jury on Thursday in the latest legal rebuke of the federal intervention.
• Several liberal representatives viewed Tuesday’s significant election victories as evidence they should maintain their position and secure the best deal from GOP members before consenting to conclude the lengthiest federal closure in history.
• Liberal lawmakers commended Nancy Pelosi as a “bold, groundbreaking” member of the US House of Representatives, an “symbol” and the “greatest speaker in American history”, subsequent to her statement that following two decades in Congress she intends to step down.
• The thinktank head, the director of the political research group behind the conservative initiative, expressed regret for backing Tucker Carlson’s interview with Hitler admirer Nick Fuentes, but is rejecting appeals to step down.