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Amid the historic federal government shutdown stretches toward day 38, US skies will become a little less busy. This doesn't apply for US airports.

Precautionary Steps Put in Place

Donald Trump’s aviation regulatory body stated flight numbers are being lowered to maintain air traffic control operational integrity during the federal government funding lapse, setting a new duration record and with little indication of a solution between Republicans and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget deadlock.

Aviation authorities pinpointed “busiest routes” where the FAA says air traffic requires reduction by 4% by 6am ET on Friday, an action that will compel airlines to cancel thousands of flights and cause a series of scheduling issues and delays at key American travel hubs.

Administration Remarks

The federal transportation leader, Sean Duffy, wrote on online platforms Thursday that the move was “unrelated to political motives” but rather “involving evaluation the data and alleviating accumulating danger in the system as controllers continue working without pay”.

“Air travel remains secure today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the preventive measures we are taking,” Duffy stated.

Travel Disruptions

Analysts forecast numerous potentially thousands of flights could be canceled. The flight decreases may constitute approximately 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats combined, per an calculation by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Affected Airports

The affected airports spanning over 25 states include the most trafficked across the US – such as Georgia's capital, CLT, Colorado's hub, DFW, MCO, California gateway, MIA and SFO. Within major metropolitan areas – including NYC, Houston and Illinois hub – multiple airports will be affected.

The trio of airports serving the nation's capital region – Dulles Airport, BWI Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be affected, certainly generating delays and cancellations for lawmakers as well as the flying public.

Additional Developments

• Here’s the list of US airports reducing air travel on Friday as a result of federal government shutdown.
• A previous justice department staffer who hurled a sandwich at a federal officer during Donald Trump’s law enforcement surge in Washington DC was found not guilty of assault by a DC jury on Thursday representing a recent legal rebuke of the federal involvement.
• Several liberal representatives viewed Tuesday’s big electoral wins as proof they should stand firm and gain maximum concessions from Republicans before agreeing to end the record-breaking budget standoff in history.
• Democrats praised Nancy Pelosi as a “bold, groundbreaking” member of the US House of Representatives, an “legend” and the “finest presiding officer in American history”, after her declaration that following two decades in Congress she plans to retire.
• The conservative leader, the director of the conservative thinktank behind Project 2025, expressed regret for supporting the host's interview with Hitler admirer Nick Fuentes, but is declining demands to resign.