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As the unprecedented federal government shutdown approaches day 38, US airspace are set to become a little less busy. This doesn't apply for US airports.

Safety Measures Enacted

The current administration's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced flights are being reduced to maintain air traffic control operational integrity during the federal government funding lapse, setting a new duration record and with no sign of a agreement between GOP lawmakers and Democrats to end the federal budget deadlock.

Aviation authorities identified “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic requires reduction by 4% by early morning Eastern Time on Friday, a move that would force airlines to call off thousands of journeys and create a series of scheduling complications and delays at major US air terminals.

Government Commentary

The administration's transportation head, Sean Duffy, commented on online platforms Thursday that the decision was “not politically driven” but rather “involving evaluation the data and alleviating 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 proactive actions we are taking,” he remarked.

Flight Cancellations

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

Affected Airports

The involved terminals spanning numerous states include the highest-volume locations across the US – featuring ATL, North Carolina's city, Colorado's hub, DFW, Orlando, California gateway, Miami and SFO. Within major metropolitan areas – like New York, Houston and Chicago – various airports will be affected.

Each of the three air terminals serving the Washington DC area – Dulles Airport, BWI Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be affected, inevitably causing delays and cancellations for lawmakers as well as the flying public.

Other Developments

• This is the roster of domestic airports decreasing flights on Friday due to federal government funding lapse.
• A previous justice department staffer who threw a sandwich at a federal agent during the administration's law enforcement surge in the capital received a not guilty verdict of assault by a DC jury on Thursday marking another legal setback of the federal involvement.
• Certain Democratic lawmakers saw Tuesday’s major voting successes as proof they should hold the line and secure the best deal from conservative lawmakers before agreeing to end 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 “finest presiding officer in American history”, subsequent to her statement that after 20 terms in Congress she intends to step down.
• The conservative leader, the director of the right-leaning policy organization behind Project 2025, expressed regret for backing Tucker Carlson’s interview with Hitler fan Nick Fuentes, but is declining demands to step down.