Government Cuts Back US Air Travel as Shutdown Drags On

Amid the record-breaking federal government shutdown stretches toward day 38, US airspace are set to become somewhat quieter. The same cannot be said for US air travel hubs.

Safety Measures Put in Place

Donald Trump’s air traffic agency announced flights are being reduced to uphold air traffic control security during the federal government closure, currently the lengthiest in history and with no sign of a resolution between GOP lawmakers and liberal officials to end the federal budget impasse.

Airline regulators identified “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic must be reduced by 4% by 6 a.m. Eastern on Friday, a step requiring airlines to scrub numerous flights and trigger a series of scheduling complications and hold-ups at some of the nation’s largest airports.

Government Commentary

Trump’s transportation chief, Sean Duffy, wrote on social media Thursday that the move was “not politically driven” but rather “about assessing the data and alleviating growing safety concerns in the system as air traffic professionals 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 added.

Flight Cancellations

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

Impacted Locations

The affected airports spanning more than two dozen states include the busiest ones across the US – featuring Atlanta, North Carolina's city, DEN, Dallas/Fort Worth, Florida destination, Los Angeles, Florida hotspot and Bay Area airport. Among key urban centers – including New York, Texas city and Chicago – several air terminals will be affected.

The trio of airports operating in the nation's capital region – IAD, BWI and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be impacted, certainly generating delays and cancellations for lawmakers as well as other travelers.

Additional Developments

• Below is the compilation of American air terminals cutting flights on Friday due to federal government shutdown.
• A former Department of Justice employee who tossed food at a federal agent during the administration's law enforcement presence in Washington DC received a not guilty verdict of assault by a DC jury on Thursday marking another legal rejection of the federal involvement.
• Some Democratic legislators viewed Tuesday’s major voting successes as proof they should hold the line and gain maximum concessions from GOP members before agreeing to end the lengthiest federal closure in history.
• Democratic officials lauded Nancy Pelosi as a “courageous, pioneering” member of the US House of Representatives, an “symbol” and the “most accomplished leader in American history”, subsequent to her declaration that following two decades in Congress she plans to retire.
• Kevin Roberts, the leader of the conservative thinktank behind the policy blueprint, issued an apology for endorsing Tucker Carlson’s interview with Hitler supporter Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to leave his position.