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With the unprecedented federal government shutdown nears day 38, US airspace are set to become less congested. The same cannot be said for US terminals.

Protective Actions Implemented

The current administration's aviation regulatory body stated flight numbers are being lowered to maintain air traffic control operational integrity during the federal government funding lapse, currently the lengthiest in history and with no apparent progress of a resolution between Republicans 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 early morning Eastern Time on Friday, a move that would force airlines to scrub numerous flights and create a series of scheduling complications and hold-ups at some of the nation’s largest airports.

Official Statement

The administration's transportation head, Sean Duffy, stated on X Thursday that the action was “not about politics” but rather “about assessing the data and alleviating accumulating danger 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,” the official added.

Travel Disruptions

Experts predict hundreds or even thousands of flights may be scrapped. The cuts could represent up to 1,800 flights and over 268,000 seats total, per an projection by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Impacted Locations

The affected airports covering over 25 states include the busiest ones across the US – such as ATL, Charlotte, Denver, Texas metroplex, MCO, Los Angeles, Miami and San Francisco. Within major metropolitan areas – such as New York, Texas city and Illinois hub – various airports will be involved.

Each of the three air terminals operating in the DC metro – IAD, BWI and DCA – will be involved, certainly generating flight disruptions for lawmakers as well as other travelers.

Additional Developments

• Here’s the compilation of American air terminals reducing air travel on Friday due to federal government closure.
• A former Department of Justice employee who threw a sandwich at a federal officer during the administration's law enforcement presence in Washington DC received a not guilty verdict of assault by a DC jury on Thursday in the latest legal rejection of the federal involvement.
• Some Democratic legislators viewed Tuesday’s significant election victories as proof they should maintain their position and gain maximum concessions from conservative lawmakers before consenting to conclude the record-breaking budget standoff in history.
• Democrats praised Nancy Pelosi as a “courageous, pioneering” member of the US House of Representatives, an “legend” and the “finest presiding officer in American history”, subsequent to her announcement that following two decades in Congress she intends to step down.
• The thinktank head, the chief of the conservative thinktank behind the conservative initiative, issued an apology for backing the commentator's interview with Hitler supporter Nick Fuentes, but is declining demands to step down.