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Amid the record-breaking federal government shutdown stretches toward day 38, US airspace are set to become less congested. The same cannot be said for US airports.

Safety Measures Implemented

The federal air traffic agency stated flights are being reduced to maintain air traffic control safety during the federal government closure, now the longest recorded and with little indication of a solution between conservative legislators and Democrats to end the federal budget impasse.

Flight oversight bodies selected “congested corridors” where the FAA says air traffic requires reduction by 4% by 6am ET on Friday, a move that would force airlines to cancel thousands of flights and create a series of scheduling complications and delays at major US air terminals.

Administration Remarks

The administration's transportation head, Sean Duffy, stated on X Thursday that the move was “not about politics” but rather “concerned with reviewing the data and alleviating growing safety concerns in the system as flight directors continue working without pay”.

“It’s safe to fly today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the forward-thinking steps we are taking,” the official added.

Flight Cancellations

Specialists anticipate numerous potentially thousands of flights could be canceled. The cuts may constitute up to 1,800 flights and more than 268,000 seats collectively, per an calculation by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Affected Airports

The targeted air hubs covering more than two dozen states include the most trafficked across the US – including ATL, Charlotte, DEN, DFW, MCO, LAX, Florida hotspot and Bay Area airport. In some of the biggest cities – including NYC, Texas city and Chicago – several air terminals will be affected.

The trio of airports operating in the nation's capital region – Dulles Airport, BWI Airport and DCA – will be involved, certainly generating schedule changes for lawmakers as well as other travelers.

Additional Developments

• Here’s the list of US airports reducing air travel on Friday because of federal government funding lapse.
• A previous justice department staffer who threw a sandwich at a federal agent during Donald Trump’s law enforcement presence in Washington DC received a not guilty verdict of assault by a DC jury on Thursday representing a recent legal setback of the federal involvement.
• Several liberal representatives interpreted Tuesday’s major voting successes as proof they should maintain their position and secure the best deal from GOP members before agreeing to end the lengthiest federal closure in history.
• Democratic officials lauded Nancy Pelosi as a “bold, groundbreaking” member of the US House of Representatives, an “legend” and the “finest presiding officer in American history”, following her announcement that post twenty congressional sessions in Congress she plans to retire.
• The conservative leader, the director of the political research group behind the policy blueprint, expressed regret for endorsing the commentator's interview with Hitler admirer Nick Fuentes, but is rejecting appeals to leave his position.