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Amid the unprecedented federal government standoff stretches toward day 38, US flight paths is about to get a little less busy. The same cannot be said for US airports.

Safety Measures Implemented

The federal aviation regulatory body has said flights are being reduced to ensure air traffic control security during the federal government closure, setting a new duration record and with no apparent progress of a solution between conservative legislators and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget impasse.

Airline regulators pinpointed “congested corridors” where the FAA says air traffic requires reduction by 4% by early morning Eastern Time on Friday, a move that would force airlines to cancel thousands of flights and trigger a chain reaction of scheduling issues and delays at some of the nation’s largest airports.

Official Statement

Trump’s transportation chief, Sean Duffy, wrote on X Thursday that the move was “not about politics” but rather “concerned with reviewing the data and alleviating growing safety concerns in the system as flight directors continue working without pay”.

“Air travel remains secure today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the proactive actions we are taking,” the official added.

Travel Disruptions

Analysts forecast hundreds or even thousands of flights may be scrapped. The cuts could represent up to 1,800 flights and over 268,000 seats total, according to an projection by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Affected Airports

The involved terminals including numerous states include the busiest ones across the US – including Georgia's capital, North Carolina's city, Denver, DFW, MCO, LAX, Miami and Bay Area airport. In some of the biggest cities – like New York, Texas city and Illinois hub – several air terminals will be involved.

All three airports serving the Washington DC area – IAD, BWI Airport and DCA – will be impacted, certainly generating schedule changes for elected representatives as well as additional passengers.

Other Developments

• This is the list of US airports reducing air travel on Friday because of federal government closure.
• An ex-DOJ worker who hurled a sandwich at a federal officer during Donald Trump’s law enforcement surge in Washington DC received a not guilty verdict of assault by a DC jury on Thursday representing a recent legal rebuke of the federal action.
• Certain Democratic lawmakers saw Tuesday’s significant election victories as evidence they should maintain their position and secure the best deal from GOP members before agreeing to end 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 “finest presiding officer in American history”, following her announcement that following two decades in Congress she intends to step down.
• The thinktank head, the leader of the political research group behind Project 2025, has apologized for endorsing the commentator's interview with Hitler admirer Nick Fuentes, but is declining demands to resign.