🔗 Share this article Administration Reduces US Flights as Government Closure Stretches On As the unprecedented federal government standoff approaches day 38, US airspace will become less congested. This doesn't apply for US air travel hubs. Precautionary Steps Implemented Donald Trump’s air traffic agency announced flights are being reduced to uphold air traffic control operational integrity during the federal government shutdown, setting a new duration record and with no sign of a solution between GOP lawmakers and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget deadlock. Flight oversight bodies identified “busiest routes” where the FAA says air traffic requires reduction by 4% by 6am ET on Friday, a step requiring airlines to cancel thousands of flights and cause a series of scheduling problems and delays at key American travel hubs. Government Commentary The administration's transportation head, Sean Duffy, wrote on X Thursday that the action was “unrelated to political motives” but rather “involving evaluation the data and mitigating building risk in the system as controllers continue working without pay”. “Air travel remains secure today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the proactive actions we are taking,” he added. Travel Disruptions Experts predict numerous potentially thousands of flights might be called off. These reductions could represent approximately 1,800 flights and over 268,000 seats total, per an calculation by the aviation analytics firm Cirium. Impacted Locations The affected airports spanning over 25 states include the busiest ones across the US – such as Atlanta, CLT, Colorado's hub, DFW, Orlando, Los Angeles, Florida hotspot and San Francisco. Within major metropolitan areas – including NYC, Houston and Chicago – various airports will be impacted. Each of the three air terminals serving the Washington DC area – Washington Dulles international, BWI and Reagan National – will be affected, likely creating delays and cancellations for lawmakers as well as other travelers. Other Developments Below is the compilation of American air terminals decreasing flights on Friday because of federal government closure. A previous justice department staffer who threw a sandwich at a federal officer during the administration's law enforcement increase in DC received a not guilty verdict of assault by a DC jury on Thursday in the latest legal rebuke of the federal intervention. Some Democratic legislators saw Tuesday’s major voting successes as indication they should maintain their position and gain maximum concessions from GOP members before consenting to conclude the lengthiest federal closure in history. Democrats praised Nancy Pelosi as a “courageous, pioneering” member of the US House of Representatives, an “symbol” and the “finest presiding officer in American history”, subsequent to her declaration that after 20 terms in Congress she will leave office. The thinktank head, the leader of the political research group behind the policy blueprint, issued an apology for endorsing the host's interview with Hitler fan Nick Fuentes, but is declining demands to leave his position.