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As the historic federal government closure approaches day 38, US flight paths are set to become somewhat quieter. This doesn't apply for US airports.

Safety Measures Enacted

Donald Trump’s air traffic agency announced air travel is being curtailed to uphold air traffic control safety during the federal government shutdown, now the longest recorded and with no sign of a agreement between Republicans and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget impasse.

Aviation authorities pinpointed “congested corridors” where the FAA says air traffic needs cutting by 4% by 6 a.m. Eastern on Friday, a step requiring airlines to call off thousands of journeys and trigger a chain reaction of scheduling issues and setbacks at major US air terminals.

Government Commentary

The administration's transportation head, Sean Duffy, stated on X Thursday that the action was “not about politics” but rather “about assessing the data and reducing growing safety concerns in the system as flight directors continue working without pay”.

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

Flight Cancellations

Experts predict hundreds or even thousands of flights could be canceled. The cuts might account for up to 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats total, per an estimate by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Affected Airports

The affected airports including more than two dozen states include the busiest ones across the US – featuring Atlanta, North Carolina's city, DEN, Dallas/Fort Worth, Florida destination, California gateway, MIA and San Francisco. Among key urban centers – like New York, Houston and Illinois hub – various airports will be affected.

Each of the three air terminals operating in the DC metro – IAD, BWI and Reagan National – will be impacted, inevitably causing delays and cancellations for government officials as well as the flying public.

Other Developments

• This is the compilation of American air terminals cutting flights on Friday due to federal government shutdown.
• A former Department of Justice employee who hurled a sandwich at a federal officer during the administration's law enforcement surge in the capital was found not guilty of assault by a DC jury on Thursday representing a recent legal setback of the federal intervention.
• Certain Democratic lawmakers viewed Tuesday’s big electoral wins as indication they should maintain their position and gain maximum concessions from conservative lawmakers before agreeing to end the longest government shutdown in history.
• Liberal lawmakers commended Nancy Pelosi as a “heroic, trailblazing” member of the US House of Representatives, an “symbol” and the “most accomplished leader in American history”, after her announcement that following two decades in Congress she will leave office.
• The conservative leader, the leader of the conservative thinktank behind Project 2025, expressed regret for backing Tucker Carlson’s interview with Hitler supporter Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to step down.