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Amid the historic federal government standoff stretches toward day 38, US airspace is about to get a little less busy. The same cannot be said for US terminals.

Precautionary Steps Put in Place

The current administration's aviation regulatory body announced flights are being reduced to ensure air traffic control safety during the federal government closure, setting a new duration record and with no sign of a resolution between Republicans and Democrats to end the federal budget deadlock.

Airline regulators identified “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic requires reduction by 4% by early morning Eastern Time on Friday, an action that will compel airlines to scrub numerous flights and trigger a chain reaction of scheduling problems and setbacks at some of the nation’s largest airports.

Official Statement

Trump’s transportation chief, Sean Duffy, wrote on social media Thursday that the action was “not politically driven” but rather “about assessing the data and alleviating building risk in the system as flight directors continue working without pay”.

“Air travel remains secure today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the proactive actions we are taking,” Duffy stated.

Flight Cancellations

Experts predict hundreds if not thousands of flights could be canceled. The flight decreases may constitute up to 1,800 flights and over 268,000 seats collectively, per an estimate by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Targeted Terminals

The affected airports covering more than two dozen states include the busiest ones across the US – including Atlanta, Charlotte, Colorado's hub, DFW, Florida destination, California gateway, Miami and Bay Area airport. In some of the biggest cities – such as NYC, Houston and Illinois hub – several air terminals will be impacted.

Each of the three air terminals serving the DC metro – Washington Dulles international, BWI and Reagan National – will be impacted, likely creating schedule changes for government officials as well as the flying public.

Other Developments

• This is the list of US airports reducing air travel on Friday as a result of federal government closure.
• A former Department of Justice employee who threw a sandwich at a federal officer during the administration's law enforcement presence in Washington DC was found not guilty of assault by a DC jury on Thursday in the latest legal setback of the federal intervention.
• Some Democratic legislators viewed Tuesday’s big electoral wins as indication they should stand firm and secure the best deal from GOP members before agreeing to end the lengthiest federal closure in history.
• Democrats praised Nancy Pelosi as a “heroic, trailblazing” member of the US House of Representatives, an “legend” and the “most accomplished leader in American history”, subsequent to her announcement that following two decades in Congress she will leave office.
• The thinktank head, the leader of the right-leaning policy organization behind Project 2025, has apologized for supporting the host's interview with Hitler admirer Nick Fuentes, but is declining demands to resign.