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As the unprecedented federal government closure approaches day 38, US skies is about to get less congested. This doesn't apply for US air travel hubs.

Safety Measures Put in Place

The current administration's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced air travel is being curtailed to ensure air traffic control safety during the federal government funding lapse, now the longest recorded and with no apparent progress of a agreement between GOP lawmakers and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget deadlock.

Airline regulators identified “busiest routes” where the FAA says air traffic needs cutting by 4% by 6 a.m. Eastern on Friday, an action that will compel airlines to scrub numerous flights and cause a chain reaction of scheduling issues and delays at key American travel hubs.

Official Statement

Trump’s transportation chief, Sean Duffy, stated on social media Thursday that the move was “not politically driven” but rather “involving evaluation the data and mitigating accumulating danger in the system as air traffic professionals continue working without pay”.

“Flying is safe today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the forward-thinking steps we are taking,” the official stated.

Flight Cancellations

Experts predict hundreds or even thousands of flights may be scrapped. The flight decreases might account for as many as 1,800 flights and more than 268,000 seats total, according to an projection by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Targeted Terminals

The involved terminals covering over 25 states include the most trafficked across the US – featuring Atlanta, North Carolina's city, Denver, Dallas/Fort Worth, Florida destination, LAX, Florida hotspot and Bay Area airport. In some of the biggest cities – such as NYC, Houston and Chicago – multiple airports will be involved.

Each of the three air terminals serving the nation's capital region – Washington Dulles international, Baltimore/Washington international and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be affected, certainly generating delays and cancellations for lawmakers as well as the flying public.

Other Developments

• Below is the roster of domestic airports cutting flights on Friday as a result of federal government closure.
• An ex-DOJ worker who tossed food at a federal agent during the administration's law enforcement presence in DC was acquitted of assault by a DC jury on Thursday in the latest legal setback of the federal intervention.
• Several liberal representatives interpreted Tuesday’s major voting successes as indication they should stand firm and extract as much as possible from GOP members before agreeing to end the record-breaking budget standoff in history.
• Democratic officials lauded Nancy Pelosi as a “bold, groundbreaking” member of the US House of Representatives, an “icon” and the “finest presiding officer in American history”, following her announcement that following two decades in Congress she intends to step down.
• The thinktank head, the director of the right-leaning policy organization behind the conservative initiative, issued an apology for supporting the host's interview with Hitler fan Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to leave his position.