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With the historic 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 terminals.

Safety Measures Implemented

Donald Trump’s aviation regulatory body announced flight numbers are being lowered to ensure air traffic control operational integrity during the federal government funding lapse, now the longest recorded and with no apparent progress of a solution between Republicans and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget standoff.

Aviation authorities pinpointed “busiest routes” where the FAA says air traffic needs cutting by 4% by 6 a.m. Eastern on Friday, an action that will compel airlines to cancel thousands of flights and trigger a chain reaction of scheduling problems and setbacks at major US air terminals.

Government Commentary

The federal transportation leader, Sean Duffy, commented on X Thursday that the decision was “not politically driven” but rather “involving evaluation the data and reducing accumulating danger in the system as air traffic professionals continue working without pay”.

“It’s safe to fly today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the preventive measures we are taking,” the official added.

Airline Cutbacks

Experts predict hundreds or even thousands of flights could be canceled. The cuts may constitute up to 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats combined, based on an calculation by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Affected Airports

The targeted air hubs including more than two dozen states include the busiest ones across the US – including Atlanta, CLT, DEN, Texas metroplex, MCO, LAX, Miami and Bay Area airport. Within major metropolitan areas – like New York, Texas city and Illinois hub – multiple airports will be affected.

Each of the three air terminals operating in the nation's capital region – Dulles Airport, BWI and DCA – will be affected, inevitably causing flight disruptions for elected representatives as well as additional passengers.

Additional Developments

• Below is the list of US airports reducing air travel on Friday because of federal government funding lapse.
• A former Department of Justice employee who threw a sandwich at a federal agent during Donald Trump’s law enforcement presence in the capital was acquitted of assault by a DC jury on Thursday in the latest legal rebuke of the federal action.
• Several liberal representatives viewed Tuesday’s significant election victories as indication they should maintain their position and gain maximum concessions from GOP members before agreeing to end the record-breaking budget standoff in history.
• Democratic officials lauded Nancy Pelosi as a “heroic, trailblazing” member of the US House of Representatives, an “icon” and the “finest presiding officer in American history”, subsequent to her statement that after 20 terms in Congress she intends to step down.
• The thinktank head, the leader of the right-leaning policy organization behind the policy blueprint, expressed regret for backing the host's interview with Hitler supporter Nick Fuentes, but is rejecting appeals to resign.