🔗 Share this article

With the record-breaking federal government shutdown nears day 38, US skies will become somewhat quieter. Contrastingly for US air travel hubs.

Safety Measures Implemented

The federal Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has said flights are being reduced to maintain air traffic control safety during the federal government shutdown, currently the lengthiest in history and with no apparent progress of a solution between Republicans and liberal officials to end the federal budget standoff.

Airline regulators selected “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic needs cutting by 4% by 6am ET on Friday, a move that would force airlines to cancel thousands of flights and create a series 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 move was “not about politics” but rather “involving evaluation the data and reducing building risk in the system as controllers continue working without pay”.

“It’s safe to fly today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the forward-thinking steps we are taking,” he stated.

Travel Disruptions

Analysts forecast numerous potentially thousands of flights could be canceled. The cuts might account for approximately 1,800 flights and more than 268,000 seats collectively, based on an projection by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Impacted Locations

The involved terminals including more than two dozen states include the highest-volume locations across the US – such as Georgia's capital, North Carolina's city, Denver, Dallas/Fort Worth, Florida destination, LAX, Florida hotspot and San Francisco. Among key urban centers – such as NYC, Texas city and Chicago – several air terminals will be impacted.

The trio of airports serving the Washington DC area – IAD, BWI Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be involved, certainly generating delays and cancellations for elected representatives as well as additional passengers.

Other Developments

• Here’s the compilation of American air terminals cutting flights on Friday due to federal government closure.
• An ex-DOJ worker who hurled a sandwich at a federal agent during the current law enforcement increase in Washington DC was acquitted of assault by a DC jury on Thursday marking another legal rejection of the federal involvement.
• Several liberal representatives saw Tuesday’s major voting successes as evidence they should maintain their position and secure the best deal from conservative lawmakers before agreeing to end the longest government shutdown in history.
• Democratic officials lauded Nancy Pelosi as a “courageous, pioneering” member of the US House of Representatives, an “icon” and the “finest presiding officer in American history”, following her declaration that following two decades in Congress she plans to retire.
• The thinktank head, the chief of the conservative thinktank behind the conservative initiative, issued an apology for supporting the host's interview with Hitler fan Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to step down.