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As the unprecedented federal government standoff nears day 38, US skies will become a little less busy. The same cannot be said for US terminals.

Protective Actions Implemented

Donald Trump’s air traffic agency announced flight numbers are being lowered to uphold air traffic control operational integrity during the federal government shutdown, now the longest recorded and with little indication of a agreement between Republicans and liberal officials to end the federal budget deadlock.

Airline regulators pinpointed “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic needs cutting by 4% by 6 a.m. Eastern on Friday, a move that would force airlines to scrub numerous flights and cause a series of scheduling problems and delays at some of the nation’s largest airports.

Government Commentary

Trump’s transportation chief, Sean Duffy, commented on social media Thursday that the action was “not politically driven” but rather “about assessing 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 proactive actions we are taking,” the official added.

Airline Cutbacks

Specialists anticipate hundreds or even thousands of flights might be called off. These reductions could represent up to 1,800 flights and over 268,000 seats combined, according to an projection by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Targeted Terminals

The involved terminals including over 25 states include the busiest ones across the US – including Atlanta, North Carolina's city, Denver, DFW, MCO, Los Angeles, Florida hotspot and SFO. In some of the biggest cities – such as NYC, Texas city and Chicago – multiple airports will be affected.

Each of the three air terminals operating in the Washington DC area – Dulles Airport, BWI and DCA – will be impacted, likely creating flight disruptions for government officials as well as additional passengers.

Other Developments

• Here’s the compilation of American air terminals cutting flights on Friday as a result of federal government closure.
• A former Department of Justice employee who hurled a sandwich at a federal agent during Donald Trump’s law enforcement surge in Washington DC received a not guilty verdict of assault by a DC jury on Thursday in the latest legal setback of the federal involvement.
• Some Democratic legislators interpreted Tuesday’s big electoral wins as proof they should maintain their position and secure the best deal from Republicans before agreeing to end the longest government shutdown in history.
• Democrats praised Nancy Pelosi as a “courageous, pioneering” member of the US House of Representatives, an “icon” and the “finest presiding officer in American history”, subsequent to her declaration that post twenty congressional sessions in Congress she will leave office.
• The conservative leader, the director of the political research group behind the conservative initiative, expressed regret for supporting the commentator's interview with Hitler supporter Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to resign.