🔗 Share this article Government Reduces US Flights as Government Closure Continues Amid the historic federal government standoff approaches day 38, US flight paths will become a little less busy. This doesn't apply for US terminals. Safety Measures Put in Place The federal air traffic agency stated flights are being reduced to maintain air traffic control safety during the federal government shutdown, currently the lengthiest in history and with no apparent progress of a resolution between GOP lawmakers and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget impasse. Flight oversight bodies pinpointed “busiest routes” where the FAA says air traffic must be reduced by 4% by 6am ET on Friday, a move that would force airlines to scrub numerous flights and cause a series of scheduling complications and setbacks at some of the nation’s largest airports. Official Statement The administration's transportation head, Sean Duffy, stated on social media Thursday that the action was “not politically driven” but rather “about assessing the data and mitigating accumulating danger in the system as controllers continue working without pay”. “It’s safe to fly today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the preventive measures we are taking,” the official remarked. Airline Cutbacks Analysts forecast hundreds or even thousands of flights could be canceled. These reductions might account for approximately 1,800 flights and more than 268,000 seats collectively, based on an estimate by the aviation analytics firm Cirium. Impacted Locations The affected airports covering over 25 states include the highest-volume locations across the US – including Georgia's capital, CLT, Denver, Texas metroplex, Florida destination, Los Angeles, Florida hotspot and SFO. Within major metropolitan areas – including NYC, Houston and Illinois hub – various airports will be involved. All three airports serving the nation's capital region – IAD, Baltimore/Washington international and Reagan National – will be affected, likely creating schedule changes for elected representatives as well as additional passengers. Related Updates This is the list of US airports decreasing flights on Friday because of federal government funding lapse. A former Department of Justice employee who threw a sandwich at a government officer during Donald Trump’s law enforcement presence in the capital was found not guilty of assault by a DC jury on Thursday in the latest legal rejection of the federal involvement. Some Democratic legislators viewed Tuesday’s significant election victories as indication they should stand firm and extract as much as possible from conservative lawmakers before consenting to conclude the longest government shutdown in history. Liberal lawmakers commended Nancy Pelosi as a “courageous, pioneering” member of the US House of Representatives, an “legend” and the “most accomplished leader in American history”, following her statement that post twenty congressional sessions in Congress she will leave office. The thinktank head, the leader of the political research group behind Project 2025, issued an apology for supporting Tucker Carlson’s interview with Hitler fan Nick Fuentes, but is rejecting appeals to resign.