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Amid the unprecedented federal government closure stretches toward day 38, US skies are set to become less congested. This doesn't apply for US airports.

Protective Actions Implemented

The current administration's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has said flights are being reduced to ensure air traffic control security during the federal government shutdown, setting a new duration record and with no apparent progress of a agreement between Republicans and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget deadlock.

Flight oversight bodies selected “congested corridors” where the FAA says air traffic needs cutting by 4% by early morning Eastern Time on Friday, a move that would force airlines to scrub numerous flights and create a cascade of scheduling problems and hold-ups at key American travel hubs.

Official Statement

The federal transportation leader, Sean Duffy, stated on social media Thursday that the action was “unrelated to political motives” but rather “involving evaluation the data and alleviating growing safety concerns 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 forward-thinking steps we are taking,” the official stated.

Airline Cutbacks

Analysts forecast hundreds if not thousands of flights might be called off. These reductions might account for as many as 1,800 flights and more than 268,000 seats total, per an projection by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Impacted Locations

The targeted air hubs including numerous states include the most trafficked across the US – such as ATL, Charlotte, Colorado's hub, DFW, Orlando, Los Angeles, Florida hotspot and Bay Area airport. Among key urban centers – like NYC, Texas city and Illinois hub – multiple airports will be involved.

All three airports serving the Washington DC area – Washington Dulles international, BWI and DCA – will be impacted, certainly generating schedule changes for elected representatives as well as the flying public.

Additional Developments

• This is the roster of domestic airports reducing air travel on Friday because of federal government funding lapse.
• A former Department of Justice employee who tossed food 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 representing a recent legal rejection of the federal action.
• Several liberal representatives saw Tuesday’s major voting successes as evidence they should maintain their position and gain maximum concessions from Republicans before approving the termination of 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 “most accomplished leader in American history”, subsequent to her announcement that post twenty congressional sessions in Congress she will leave office.
• The thinktank head, the director of the right-leaning policy organization behind Project 2025, issued an apology for backing the commentator's interview with Hitler supporter Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to step down.