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As the unprecedented federal government shutdown nears day 38, US skies are set to become a little less busy. Contrastingly for US air travel hubs.

Protective Actions Implemented

Donald Trump’s air traffic agency announced flight numbers are being lowered to uphold air traffic control operational integrity during the federal government shutdown, currently the lengthiest in history and with little indication of a resolution between Republicans and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget impasse.

Aviation authorities identified “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic requires reduction by 4% by 6 a.m. Eastern on Friday, a move that would force airlines to scrub numerous flights and cause a series of scheduling complications and delays at some of the nation’s largest airports.

Official Statement

Trump’s transportation chief, Sean Duffy, commented on X Thursday that the action was “unrelated to political motives” but rather “involving evaluation the data and mitigating building risk in the system as air traffic professionals continue working without pay”.

“Flying is safe today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the proactive actions we are taking,” Duffy stated.

Travel Disruptions

Analysts forecast numerous potentially 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 estimate by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Affected Airports

The affected airports covering over 25 states include the busiest ones across the US – including ATL, CLT, DEN, Dallas/Fort Worth, Orlando, LAX, MIA and Bay Area airport. In some of the biggest cities – such as New York, Houston and Chicago – several air terminals will be affected.

Each of the three air terminals serving the nation's capital region – Washington Dulles international, BWI Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be impacted, certainly generating schedule changes for lawmakers as well as additional passengers.

Other Developments

• This is the list of US airports reducing air travel on Friday as a result of federal government shutdown.
• An ex-DOJ worker who tossed food at a government officer during the current law enforcement increase in the capital was acquitted of assault by a DC jury on Thursday representing a recent legal setback of the federal action.
• Some Democratic legislators saw Tuesday’s major voting successes as indication they should maintain their position and gain maximum concessions from Republicans before agreeing to end the record-breaking budget standoff in history.
• Democrats praised Nancy Pelosi as a “courageous, pioneering” member of the US House of Representatives, an “icon” and the “greatest speaker in American history”, following her announcement that after 20 terms in Congress she intends to step down.
• The conservative leader, the leader of the conservative thinktank behind Project 2025, has apologized for supporting the host's interview with Hitler fan Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to leave his position.