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Amid the unprecedented federal government standoff approaches day 38, US skies is about to get somewhat quieter. The same cannot be said for US terminals.

Precautionary Steps Implemented

The current administration's aviation regulatory body announced air travel is being curtailed to maintain air traffic control safety during the federal government shutdown, setting a new duration record and with no apparent progress of a resolution between Republicans and liberal officials to end the federal budget deadlock.

Airline regulators identified “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic needs cutting by 4% by 6am ET on Friday, an action that will compel airlines to scrub numerous flights and cause a chain reaction of scheduling problems and hold-ups at key American travel hubs.

Government Commentary

Trump’s transportation chief, Sean Duffy, wrote on online platforms Thursday that the action was “unrelated to political motives” but rather “concerned with reviewing the data and mitigating 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,” the official added.

Airline Cutbacks

Analysts forecast hundreds if not thousands of flights could be canceled. These reductions may constitute approximately 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats collectively, per an estimate by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Impacted Locations

The targeted air hubs spanning over 25 states include the busiest ones across the US – such as Georgia's capital, CLT, DEN, Dallas/Fort Worth, Florida destination, California gateway, Miami and Bay Area airport. Among key urban centers – such as NYC, Houston and Chicago – various airports will be affected.

Each of the three air terminals serving the nation's capital region – IAD, BWI and Reagan National – will be affected, likely creating delays and cancellations for lawmakers as well as other travelers.

Other Developments

• This is the roster of domestic airports decreasing flights on Friday because of federal government shutdown.
• A previous justice department staffer who hurled a sandwich at a federal officer during the administration's law enforcement increase in DC was found not guilty of assault by a DC jury on Thursday marking another legal rejection of the federal involvement.
• Some Democratic legislators saw Tuesday’s major voting successes as evidence they should hold the line and gain maximum concessions from conservative lawmakers 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 “finest presiding officer in American history”, after her statement that after 20 terms in Congress she intends to step down.
• Kevin Roberts, the chief of the political research group behind the conservative initiative, expressed regret for supporting Tucker Carlson’s interview with Hitler supporter Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to step down.