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Amid the record-breaking federal government shutdown stretches toward day 38, US skies is about to get somewhat quieter. This doesn't apply for US air travel hubs.

Precautionary Steps Put in Place

The federal aviation regulatory body has said air travel is being curtailed to ensure air traffic control security during the federal government funding lapse, currently the lengthiest in history and with little indication of a agreement between GOP lawmakers and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget impasse.

Airline regulators identified “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic requires reduction by 4% by early morning Eastern Time on Friday, a step requiring airlines to scrub numerous flights and cause a series of scheduling issues and delays at major US air terminals.

Government Commentary

Trump’s transportation chief, Sean Duffy, wrote on online platforms Thursday that the action was “not politically driven” but rather “involving evaluation the data and mitigating accumulating danger in the system as air traffic professionals continue working without pay”.

“Air travel remains secure today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the forward-thinking steps we are taking,” the official remarked.

Travel Disruptions

Specialists anticipate numerous potentially thousands of flights could be canceled. These reductions might account for up to 1,800 flights and over 268,000 seats total, according to an projection by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Targeted Terminals

The involved terminals spanning numerous states include the highest-volume locations across the US – featuring Georgia's capital, Charlotte, DEN, Dallas/Fort Worth, Florida destination, California gateway, MIA and Bay Area airport. In some of the biggest cities – including NYC, Houston and Chicago – various airports will be affected.

Each of the three air terminals operating in the DC metro – Washington Dulles international, BWI Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be involved, certainly generating flight disruptions for elected representatives as well as additional passengers.

Additional Developments

• Here’s the list of US airports reducing air travel on Friday as a result of federal government shutdown.
• An ex-DOJ worker who threw a sandwich at a federal agent during the administration's law enforcement increase in Washington DC was acquitted of assault by a DC jury on Thursday representing a recent legal setback of the federal involvement.
• Some Democratic legislators saw Tuesday’s major voting successes as proof they should hold the line and extract as much as possible from Republicans before approving the termination of the record-breaking budget standoff in history.
• Liberal lawmakers commended Nancy Pelosi as a “bold, groundbreaking” member of the US House of Representatives, an “icon” and the “finest presiding officer in American history”, subsequent to her statement that after 20 terms in Congress she plans to retire.
• Kevin Roberts, the director of the political research group behind the conservative initiative, issued an apology for endorsing Tucker Carlson’s interview with Hitler fan Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to resign.