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Amid the unprecedented federal government closure stretches toward day 38, US flight paths are set to become a little less busy. The same cannot be said for US air travel hubs.

Protective Actions Implemented

Donald Trump’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated flight numbers are being lowered to uphold air traffic control safety during the federal government funding lapse, setting a new duration record and with no sign of a solution between conservative legislators and Democrats to end the federal budget standoff.

Airline regulators pinpointed “congested corridors” where the FAA says air traffic needs cutting by 4% by 6am ET on Friday, a step requiring airlines to call off thousands of journeys and trigger a cascade of scheduling complications and delays at key American travel hubs.

Government Commentary

The administration's transportation head, Sean Duffy, stated on social media Thursday that the action was “not politically driven” but rather “concerned with reviewing the data and reducing accumulating danger in the system as air traffic professionals continue working without pay”.

“Flying is safe today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the forward-thinking steps we are taking,” Duffy remarked.

Travel Disruptions

Experts predict hundreds if not thousands of flights could be canceled. These reductions might account for as many as 1,800 flights and more than 268,000 seats collectively, according to an estimate by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Impacted Locations

The affected airports covering over 25 states include the busiest ones across the US – including ATL, North Carolina's city, Denver, Texas metroplex, Florida destination, LAX, Miami and SFO. Within major metropolitan areas – such as NYC, Houston and Illinois hub – multiple airports will be involved.

The trio of airports operating in the nation's capital region – Washington Dulles international, Baltimore/Washington international and DCA – will be impacted, likely creating delays and cancellations for government officials as well as other travelers.

Other Developments

• This is the compilation of American air terminals reducing air travel on Friday due to federal government funding lapse.
• An ex-DOJ worker who threw a sandwich at a federal officer during the current law enforcement surge in Washington DC received a not guilty verdict of assault by a DC jury on Thursday in the latest legal setback of the federal intervention.
• Several liberal representatives saw Tuesday’s big electoral wins as indication they should stand firm and gain maximum concessions from GOP members before agreeing to end the lengthiest federal closure in history.
• Liberal lawmakers commended Nancy Pelosi as a “heroic, trailblazing” member of the US House of Representatives, an “legend” and the “greatest speaker in American history”, subsequent to her statement that following two decades in Congress she intends to step down.
• The conservative leader, the director of the conservative thinktank behind Project 2025, has apologized for backing Tucker Carlson’s interview with Hitler admirer Nick Fuentes, but is rejecting appeals to step down.