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With the unprecedented federal government standoff nears day 38, US flight paths are set to become somewhat quieter. This doesn't apply for US terminals.

Protective Actions Implemented

Donald Trump’s air traffic agency stated flights are being reduced to ensure air traffic control security during the federal government closure, setting a new duration record and with no sign of a agreement between conservative legislators and liberal officials to end the federal budget standoff.

Airline regulators identified “congested corridors” where the FAA says air traffic must be reduced 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 issues and delays at key American travel hubs.

Government Commentary

The federal transportation leader, Sean Duffy, wrote on online platforms Thursday that the action was “not politically driven” but rather “involving evaluation the data and reducing building risk in the system as flight directors continue working without pay”.

“Air travel remains secure today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the forward-thinking steps we are taking,” Duffy added.

Airline Cutbacks

Experts predict hundreds or even thousands of flights could be canceled. The flight decreases could represent approximately 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats total, per an projection by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Impacted Locations

The affected airports spanning over 25 states include the highest-volume locations across the US – including Georgia's capital, North Carolina's city, DEN, Texas metroplex, Orlando, Los Angeles, MIA and San Francisco. Within major metropolitan areas – like New York, Houston and Chicago – multiple airports will be involved.

The trio of airports operating in the nation's capital region – Washington Dulles international, BWI Airport and DCA – will be involved, inevitably causing schedule changes for elected representatives as well as additional passengers.

Additional Developments

• Here’s the roster of domestic airports cutting flights on Friday because of federal government closure.
• A previous justice department staffer who threw a sandwich at a government officer during the administration's law enforcement increase in Washington DC was found not guilty of assault by a DC jury on Thursday marking another legal rejection of the federal action.
• Several liberal representatives saw Tuesday’s big electoral wins as proof they should maintain their position 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 “symbol” and the “greatest speaker in American history”, following her announcement that following two decades in Congress she will leave office.
• The thinktank head, the chief of the conservative thinktank behind Project 2025, issued an apology for supporting the host's interview with Hitler admirer Nick Fuentes, but is rejecting appeals to leave his position.