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Amid the historic federal government closure stretches toward day 38, US skies are set to become somewhat quieter. The same cannot be said for US air travel hubs.

Precautionary Steps Enacted

The current administration's air traffic agency has said flight numbers are being lowered to ensure air traffic control safety during the federal government funding lapse, currently the lengthiest in history and with little indication of a resolution between conservative legislators and Democrats to end the federal budget impasse.

Airline regulators identified “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic needs cutting by 4% by 6am ET on Friday, a move that would force airlines to call off thousands of journeys and create a series of scheduling complications and delays at major US air terminals.

Government Commentary

The federal transportation leader, Sean Duffy, commented on online platforms Thursday that the action was “unrelated to political motives” but rather “about assessing the data and reducing growing safety concerns in the system as flight directors continue working without pay”.

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

Travel Disruptions

Specialists anticipate hundreds if not thousands of flights could be canceled. These reductions could represent up to 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats total, per an estimate by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Affected Airports

The affected airports spanning over 25 states include the most trafficked across the US – featuring ATL, Charlotte, DEN, Texas metroplex, Florida destination, LAX, Florida hotspot and Bay Area airport. In some of the biggest cities – such as New York, Houston and Chicago – multiple airports will be involved.

All three airports serving the nation's capital region – Washington Dulles international, Baltimore/Washington international and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be impacted, inevitably causing schedule changes for lawmakers as well as the flying public.

Additional Developments

• Below is the compilation of American air terminals cutting flights on Friday as a result of federal government shutdown.
• An ex-DOJ worker who tossed food at a federal agent during the current law enforcement surge in DC was found not guilty of assault by a DC jury on Thursday representing a recent legal rejection of the federal intervention.
• Certain Democratic lawmakers interpreted Tuesday’s big electoral wins as indication they should stand firm and gain maximum concessions from Republicans before consenting to conclude the lengthiest federal closure in history.
• Democrats praised Nancy Pelosi as a “heroic, trailblazing” member of the US House of Representatives, an “symbol” and the “greatest speaker in American history”, following her announcement that after 20 terms in Congress she will leave office.
• The conservative leader, the director of the conservative thinktank behind the policy blueprint, issued an apology for supporting the commentator's interview with Hitler fan Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to leave his position.