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As the record-breaking federal government closure nears day 38, US airspace is about to get less congested. Contrastingly for US airports.

Safety Measures Put in Place

The current administration's air traffic agency announced air travel is being curtailed to maintain air traffic control safety during the federal government shutdown, currently the lengthiest in history and with no sign of a solution between GOP lawmakers and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget standoff.

Aviation authorities identified “congested corridors” where the FAA says air traffic needs cutting by 4% by 6am ET on Friday, a move that would force airlines to scrub numerous flights and create a series of scheduling issues and hold-ups at key American travel hubs.

Government Commentary

Trump’s transportation chief, Sean Duffy, wrote on X Thursday that the move was “unrelated to political motives” but rather “concerned with reviewing the data and reducing growing safety concerns in the system as controllers continue working without pay”.

“It’s safe to fly today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the preventive measures we are taking,” he added.

Travel Disruptions

Experts predict numerous potentially thousands of flights may be scrapped. These reductions may constitute as many as 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats combined, based on an estimate by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Targeted Terminals

The involved terminals spanning over 25 states include the busiest ones across the US – such as Atlanta, North Carolina's city, Colorado's hub, Texas metroplex, Orlando, LAX, MIA and San Francisco. Within major metropolitan areas – such as NYC, Houston and Illinois hub – several air terminals will be impacted.

Each of the three air terminals serving the nation's capital region – Dulles Airport, Baltimore/Washington international and Reagan National – will be involved, likely creating schedule changes for lawmakers as well as additional passengers.

Additional Developments

• Below is the roster of domestic airports decreasing flights on Friday because of federal government shutdown.
• An ex-DOJ worker who hurled a sandwich at a federal officer during the administration's law enforcement increase in the capital was found not guilty of assault by a DC jury on Thursday representing a recent legal rejection of the federal intervention.
• Some Democratic legislators interpreted Tuesday’s major voting successes as indication they should hold the line and extract as much as possible from Republicans before consenting to conclude the lengthiest federal closure in history.
• Liberal lawmakers commended Nancy Pelosi as a “courageous, pioneering” member of the US House of Representatives, an “legend” and the “finest presiding officer in American history”, following her announcement that post twenty congressional sessions in Congress she plans to retire.
• The conservative leader, the chief of the conservative thinktank behind Project 2025, expressed regret for endorsing the commentator's interview with Hitler admirer Nick Fuentes, but is rejecting appeals to step down.