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With the historic federal government standoff nears day 38, US flight paths is about to get somewhat quieter. This doesn't apply for US terminals.

Safety Measures Put in Place

Donald Trump’s aviation regulatory body stated flights are being reduced to maintain air traffic control security during the federal government shutdown, setting a new duration record and with no sign of a agreement between conservative legislators and Democrats to end the federal budget deadlock.

Flight oversight bodies identified “congested corridors” where the FAA says air traffic requires reduction by 4% by 6am ET on Friday, a step requiring airlines to scrub numerous flights and cause a cascade of scheduling complications and delays at some of the nation’s largest airports.

Official Statement

The federal transportation leader, Sean Duffy, stated on online platforms Thursday that the move was “not politically driven” but rather “concerned with reviewing the data and reducing growing safety concerns 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,” Duffy added.

Airline Cutbacks

Specialists anticipate hundreds or even thousands of flights may be scrapped. These reductions might account for as many as 1,800 flights and over 268,000 seats total, according to an estimate by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Affected Airports

The affected airports including more than two dozen states include the busiest ones across the US – such as Georgia's capital, CLT, DEN, Dallas/Fort Worth, Florida destination, LAX, Miami and SFO. Among key urban centers – like New York, Houston and Illinois hub – several air terminals will be impacted.

Each of the three air terminals serving the nation's capital region – Dulles Airport, BWI and Reagan National – will be involved, likely creating delays and cancellations for government officials as well as the flying public.

Related Updates

• Below is the roster of domestic airports reducing air travel on Friday because of federal government closure.
• A previous justice department staffer who tossed food at a federal agent during the current law enforcement surge in Washington DC was found not guilty of assault by a DC jury on Thursday representing a recent legal rejection of the federal intervention.
• Some Democratic legislators saw Tuesday’s major voting successes as proof they should hold the line and secure the best deal from conservative lawmakers before approving the termination of the longest government shutdown in history.
• Liberal lawmakers commended Nancy Pelosi as a “courageous, pioneering” member of the US House of Representatives, an “legend” and the “most accomplished leader in American history”, following her statement that after 20 terms in Congress she intends to step down.
• The thinktank head, the chief of the right-leaning policy organization behind the conservative initiative, has apologized for endorsing the commentator's interview with Hitler admirer Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to resign.