🔗 Share this article

With the unprecedented federal government closure approaches day 38, US flight paths is about to get somewhat quieter. This doesn't apply for US airports.

Protective Actions Enacted

The current administration's air traffic agency stated air travel is being curtailed to uphold air traffic control safety during the federal government closure, currently the lengthiest in history and with no apparent progress of a agreement between GOP lawmakers and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget impasse.

Aviation authorities selected “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic must be reduced by 4% by early morning Eastern Time on Friday, an action that will compel airlines to scrub numerous flights and create a chain reaction of scheduling problems and hold-ups at some of the nation’s largest airports.

Administration Remarks

The federal transportation leader, Sean Duffy, commented on social media Thursday that the move was “unrelated to political motives” but rather “about assessing 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 preventive measures we are taking,” the official remarked.

Flight Cancellations

Specialists anticipate hundreds if not thousands of flights may be scrapped. The flight decreases could represent approximately 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats combined, per an estimate by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Targeted Terminals

The affected airports spanning over 25 states include the highest-volume locations across the US – including ATL, CLT, Denver, Dallas/Fort Worth, Orlando, LAX, MIA and Bay Area airport. In some of the biggest cities – including NYC, Houston and Illinois hub – multiple airports will be involved.

Each of the three air terminals operating in the DC metro – Dulles Airport, Baltimore/Washington international and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be involved, likely creating flight disruptions for government officials as well as additional passengers.

Additional Developments

• Below is the list of US airports decreasing flights on Friday due to federal government shutdown.
• A previous justice department staffer who hurled a sandwich at a federal officer during the current law enforcement increase in DC was acquitted of assault by a DC jury on Thursday in the latest legal setback of the federal intervention.
• Some Democratic legislators saw Tuesday’s significant election victories as proof they should maintain their position and gain maximum concessions from conservative lawmakers before consenting to conclude the longest government shutdown in history.
• Liberal lawmakers commended Nancy Pelosi as a “courageous, pioneering” member of the US House of Representatives, an “symbol” and the “greatest speaker in American history”, after her declaration that after 20 terms in Congress she intends to step down.
• The thinktank head, the director of the political research group behind the conservative initiative, issued an apology for endorsing the host's interview with Hitler supporter Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to resign.