Government Lowers US Air Travel as Government Closure Continues

As the record-breaking federal government standoff approaches day 38, US skies are set to become somewhat quieter. This doesn't apply for US air travel hubs.

Protective Actions Put in Place

The federal air traffic agency has said air travel is being curtailed to uphold air traffic control safety during the federal government shutdown, currently the lengthiest in history and with no apparent progress of a resolution between Republicans and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget deadlock.

Flight oversight bodies 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 cancel thousands of flights and trigger a series of scheduling complications and hold-ups at key American travel hubs.

Official Statement

Trump’s transportation chief, Sean Duffy, commented on social media Thursday that the move was “not politically driven” but rather “concerned with reviewing the data and reducing 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 proactive actions we are taking,” the official added.

Airline Cutbacks

Analysts forecast hundreds or even thousands of flights could be canceled. The flight decreases may constitute up to 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats collectively, based on an calculation by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Impacted Locations

The affected airports spanning numerous states include the most trafficked across the US – including Atlanta, Charlotte, Denver, Texas metroplex, Florida destination, Los Angeles, MIA and San Francisco. Among key urban centers – like New York, Houston and Chicago – several air terminals will be impacted.

Each of the three air terminals serving the DC metro – Washington Dulles international, BWI and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be involved, likely creating flight disruptions for government officials as well as additional passengers.

Other Developments

• This is the compilation of American air terminals decreasing flights on Friday as a result of federal government shutdown.
• A previous justice department staffer who hurled a sandwich at a federal agent during the current law enforcement surge in DC was acquitted of assault by a DC jury on Thursday in the latest legal rejection of the federal intervention.
• Several liberal representatives viewed Tuesday’s big electoral wins as proof they should hold the line and gain maximum concessions from GOP members before approving the termination of the longest government shutdown in history.
• Democratic officials lauded Nancy Pelosi as a “bold, groundbreaking” member of the US House of Representatives, an “symbol” and the “most accomplished leader in American history”, after her declaration that post twenty congressional sessions in Congress she intends to step down.
• The conservative leader, the leader of the political research group behind the policy blueprint, issued an apology for supporting the host's interview with Hitler fan Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to resign.