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With the record-breaking federal government shutdown nears day 38, US flight paths is about to get somewhat quieter. This doesn't apply for US air travel hubs.

Safety Measures Put in Place

Donald Trump’s aviation regulatory body has said flights are being reduced to maintain air traffic control security during the federal government shutdown, now the longest recorded and with no sign of a resolution between conservative legislators and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget standoff.

Airline regulators selected “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic requires reduction by 4% by 6am ET on Friday, a move that would force airlines to cancel thousands of flights and trigger a series of scheduling complications and delays at key American travel hubs.

Official Statement

The federal transportation leader, Sean Duffy, wrote on social media Thursday that the move was “unrelated to political motives” but rather “concerned with reviewing the data and alleviating building risk in the system as air traffic professionals continue working without pay”.

“Flying is safe today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the preventive measures we are taking,” he remarked.

Travel Disruptions

Analysts forecast numerous potentially thousands of flights may be scrapped. The flight decreases could represent as many as 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats total, according to an calculation by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Targeted Terminals

The targeted air hubs covering over 25 states include the busiest ones across the US – such as ATL, CLT, DEN, DFW, MCO, LAX, Miami and Bay Area airport. Within major metropolitan areas – such as NYC, Texas city and Chicago – various airports will be impacted.

Each of the three air terminals serving the nation's capital region – Washington Dulles international, BWI and Reagan National – will be involved, likely creating schedule changes for government officials as well as additional passengers.

Other Developments

• Here’s the list of US airports reducing air travel on Friday because of federal government closure.
• A former Department of Justice employee who hurled a sandwich at a federal agent during the administration's law enforcement increase in the capital received a not guilty verdict of assault by a DC jury on Thursday representing a recent legal rejection of the federal involvement.
• Several liberal representatives saw Tuesday’s big electoral wins as indication they should maintain their position and secure the best deal from Republicans before consenting to conclude the longest government shutdown in history.
• Democrats praised Nancy Pelosi as a “bold, groundbreaking” member of the US House of Representatives, an “icon” and the “most accomplished leader in American history”, following her statement that after 20 terms in Congress she intends to step down.
• The conservative leader, the leader of the right-leaning policy organization behind the conservative initiative, expressed regret for endorsing the host's interview with Hitler fan Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to resign.