🔗 Share this article Federal Authorities Lowers US Air Travel as Shutdown Stretches On Amid the unprecedented federal government closure stretches toward day 38, US airspace are set to become a little less busy. The same cannot be said for US air travel hubs. Precautionary Steps Implemented The current administration's air traffic agency announced flight numbers are being lowered to ensure air traffic control operational integrity during the federal government funding lapse, now the longest recorded and with no sign of a solution between GOP lawmakers and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget impasse. Aviation authorities pinpointed “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic needs cutting by 4% by 6 a.m. Eastern on Friday, a move that would force airlines to cancel thousands of flights and trigger a chain reaction of scheduling issues and setbacks at major US air terminals. Government Commentary The administration's transportation head, Sean Duffy, wrote on online platforms Thursday that the decision was “not politically driven” but rather “involving evaluation the data and mitigating growing safety concerns in the system as air traffic professionals continue working without pay”. “Air travel remains secure today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the proactive actions we are taking,” he stated. Travel Disruptions Analysts forecast hundreds or even thousands of flights might be called off. The flight decreases may constitute up to 1,800 flights and more than 268,000 seats total, according to an calculation by the aviation analytics firm Cirium. Affected Airports The affected airports covering over 25 states include the highest-volume locations across the US – featuring Atlanta, CLT, Colorado's hub, DFW, Orlando, LAX, Miami and Bay Area airport. Among key urban centers – including NYC, Houston and Illinois hub – multiple airports will be affected. The trio of airports serving the DC metro – Washington Dulles international, BWI and DCA – will be affected, certainly generating flight disruptions for lawmakers as well as the flying public. Additional Developments This is the list of US airports reducing air travel on Friday as a result of federal government shutdown. A former Department of Justice employee who tossed food at a government officer during Donald Trump’s law enforcement surge in Washington DC was acquitted of assault by a DC jury on Thursday representing a recent legal rebuke of the federal intervention. Certain Democratic lawmakers interpreted Tuesday’s major voting successes as proof they should hold the line and secure the best deal from conservative lawmakers before approving the termination of the record-breaking budget standoff in history. Democratic officials lauded Nancy Pelosi as a “courageous, pioneering” member of the US House of Representatives, an “symbol” and the “finest presiding officer in American history”, after her announcement that after 20 terms in Congress she intends to step down. The conservative leader, the leader of the right-leaning policy organization behind the policy blueprint, expressed regret for supporting the host's interview with Hitler admirer Nick Fuentes, but is rejecting appeals to leave his position.