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As the record-breaking federal government standoff nears day 38, US flight paths will become a little less busy. The same cannot be said for US air travel hubs.

Protective Actions Enacted

Donald Trump’s aviation regulatory body has said flights are being reduced to maintain air traffic control operational integrity during the federal government closure, setting a new duration record and with no apparent progress of a resolution between conservative legislators and liberal officials to end the federal budget deadlock.

Aviation authorities selected “congested corridors” where the FAA says air traffic must be reduced by 4% by early morning Eastern Time on Friday, a move that would force airlines to cancel thousands of flights and trigger a series of scheduling problems and hold-ups at key American travel hubs.

Government Commentary

The administration's transportation head, Sean Duffy, stated on X Thursday that the action was “unrelated to political motives” but rather “concerned with reviewing the data and reducing building risk 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,” the official added.

Airline Cutbacks

Experts predict hundreds or even thousands of flights could be canceled. These reductions may constitute as many as 1,800 flights and more than 268,000 seats combined, based on an projection by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Affected Airports

The targeted air hubs covering more than two dozen states include the busiest ones across the US – including Atlanta, North Carolina's city, Colorado's hub, DFW, Florida destination, Los Angeles, Miami and Bay Area airport. In some of the biggest cities – like New York, Texas city and Chicago – several air terminals will be affected.

All three airports serving the nation's capital region – IAD, BWI and Reagan National – will be affected, likely creating delays and cancellations for government officials as well as additional passengers.

Additional Developments

• Below is the roster of domestic airports decreasing flights on Friday due to 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 the capital was acquitted of assault by a DC jury on Thursday representing a recent legal setback of the federal action.
• Certain Democratic lawmakers interpreted Tuesday’s major voting successes as evidence they should maintain their position and gain maximum concessions from conservative lawmakers before agreeing to end the lengthiest federal closure in history.
• Democrats praised Nancy Pelosi as a “heroic, trailblazing” member of the US House of Representatives, an “icon” and the “most accomplished leader in American history”, following her declaration that following two decades in Congress she plans to retire.
• The thinktank head, the chief of the political research group behind Project 2025, issued an apology for endorsing Tucker Carlson’s interview with Hitler supporter Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to resign.