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With the historic federal government closure nears day 38, US flight paths will become less congested. This doesn't apply for US airports.

Safety Measures Enacted

The federal Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced flights are being reduced to ensure air traffic control security during the federal government shutdown, currently the lengthiest in history and with no apparent progress of a solution between GOP lawmakers and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget impasse.

Aviation authorities selected “congested corridors” where the FAA says air traffic requires reduction by 4% by 6am ET on Friday, a move that would force airlines to scrub numerous flights and cause a series of scheduling issues and hold-ups at major US air terminals.

Government Commentary

Trump’s transportation chief, Sean Duffy, wrote on social media Thursday that the move was “not politically driven” but rather “concerned with reviewing 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 proactive actions we are taking,” he stated.

Airline Cutbacks

Analysts forecast hundreds or even thousands of flights may be scrapped. The cuts may constitute as many as 1,800 flights and more than 268,000 seats total, based on an calculation by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Impacted Locations

The affected airports spanning numerous states include the highest-volume locations across the US – such as Georgia's capital, Charlotte, DEN, DFW, MCO, LAX, MIA and San Francisco. In some of the biggest cities – like New York, Texas city and Illinois hub – multiple airports will be affected.

Each of the three air terminals serving the DC metro – Dulles Airport, Baltimore/Washington international and Reagan National – will be impacted, inevitably causing flight disruptions for elected representatives as well as other travelers.

Other Developments

• This is the list of US airports cutting flights on Friday as a result of federal government closure.
• An ex-DOJ worker who threw a sandwich at a federal agent during Donald Trump’s law enforcement surge in Washington DC received a not guilty verdict of assault by a DC jury on Thursday marking another legal rebuke of the federal action.
• Some Democratic legislators interpreted Tuesday’s significant election victories as evidence they should stand firm and gain maximum concessions from GOP members before agreeing to end the record-breaking budget standoff in history.
• Democrats praised Nancy Pelosi as a “heroic, trailblazing” member of the US House of Representatives, an “icon” and the “greatest speaker in American history”, after her announcement that post twenty congressional sessions in Congress she plans to retire.
• Kevin Roberts, the leader of the right-leaning policy organization behind Project 2025, has apologized for supporting Tucker Carlson’s interview with Hitler fan Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to leave his position.