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Amid the unprecedented federal government shutdown nears day 38, US airspace is about to get a little less busy. This doesn't apply for US terminals.

Protective Actions Enacted

The current administration's aviation regulatory body has said air travel is being curtailed to maintain air traffic control operational integrity during the federal government shutdown, setting a new duration record and with little indication of a agreement between conservative legislators and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget impasse.

Aviation authorities pinpointed “congested corridors” where the FAA says air traffic requires reduction by 4% by early morning Eastern Time on Friday, a step requiring airlines to scrub numerous flights and trigger a series of scheduling complications and hold-ups at some of the nation’s largest airports.

Government Commentary

Trump’s transportation chief, Sean Duffy, commented on X Thursday that the action was “not politically driven” but rather “involving evaluation the data and reducing 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,” he added.

Airline Cutbacks

Analysts forecast numerous potentially thousands of flights may be scrapped. These reductions could represent approximately 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats collectively, based on an calculation by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Affected Airports

The involved terminals spanning numerous states include the highest-volume locations across the US – including Georgia's capital, CLT, Colorado's hub, DFW, MCO, California gateway, MIA and SFO. Among key urban centers – such as NYC, Houston and Illinois hub – various airports will be involved.

Each of the three air terminals serving the nation's capital region – IAD, BWI and DCA – will be affected, likely creating flight disruptions for government officials as well as other travelers.

Other Developments

• Here’s the list of US airports decreasing flights on Friday due to federal government shutdown.
• A previous justice department staffer who tossed food at a federal agent during Donald Trump’s law enforcement presence in the capital was found not guilty of assault by a DC jury on Thursday in the latest legal rebuke of the federal action.
• Some Democratic legislators saw Tuesday’s big electoral wins as indication they should maintain their position and extract as much as possible from Republicans before agreeing to end the longest government shutdown in history.
• Liberal lawmakers commended Nancy Pelosi as a “bold, groundbreaking” member of the US House of Representatives, an “legend” and the “finest presiding officer in American history”, subsequent to her declaration that after 20 terms in Congress she will leave office.
• Kevin Roberts, the leader of the political research group behind the conservative initiative, has apologized for endorsing the host's interview with Hitler admirer Nick Fuentes, but is rejecting appeals to leave his position.