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With the unprecedented federal government standoff nears day 38, US airspace will become a little less busy. The same cannot be said for US terminals.

Safety Measures Implemented

The current administration's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated flights are being reduced to uphold air traffic control security during the federal government closure, setting a new duration record and with little indication of a resolution between GOP lawmakers and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget deadlock.

Aviation authorities identified “busiest routes” 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 scrub numerous flights and trigger a cascade of scheduling complications and setbacks at key American travel hubs.

Administration Remarks

The federal transportation leader, Sean Duffy, commented on X Thursday that the move was “not politically driven” but rather “about assessing the data and alleviating growing safety concerns in the system as flight directors continue working without pay”.

“Air travel remains secure today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the proactive actions we are taking,” Duffy remarked.

Flight Cancellations

Specialists anticipate hundreds or even thousands of flights might be called off. These reductions may constitute approximately 1,800 flights and more than 268,000 seats total, according to an projection by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Affected Airports

The involved terminals including over 25 states include the highest-volume locations across the US – featuring Georgia's capital, North Carolina's city, Denver, Texas metroplex, Florida destination, Los Angeles, Miami and SFO. In some of the biggest cities – including New York, Houston and Chicago – various airports will be impacted.

Each of the three air terminals operating in the Washington DC area – Dulles Airport, Baltimore/Washington international and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be affected, likely creating schedule changes for lawmakers as well as other travelers.

Additional Developments

• Below is the roster of domestic airports reducing air travel on Friday as a result of federal government funding lapse.
• A former Department of Justice employee who threw a sandwich at a federal officer during Donald Trump’s law enforcement presence in DC received a not guilty verdict of assault by a DC jury on Thursday representing a recent legal rejection of the federal action.
• Several liberal representatives interpreted Tuesday’s significant election victories as evidence they should hold the line and secure the best deal from Republicans before consenting to conclude the longest government shutdown in history.
• Democratic officials lauded Nancy Pelosi as a “heroic, trailblazing” member of the US House of Representatives, an “legend” and the “greatest speaker in American history”, after her declaration that following two decades in Congress she intends to step down.
• Kevin Roberts, the director of the conservative thinktank behind Project 2025, has apologized for backing the host's interview with Hitler supporter Nick Fuentes, but is declining demands to step down.