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With the record-breaking federal government shutdown stretches toward day 38, US flight paths is about to get somewhat quieter. The same cannot be said for US air travel hubs.

Protective Actions Implemented

The federal air traffic agency has said air travel is being curtailed to ensure air traffic control operational integrity during the federal government funding lapse, now the longest recorded and with no sign of a resolution between conservative legislators and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget deadlock.

Aviation authorities identified “busiest routes” where the FAA says air traffic requires reduction by 4% by 6 a.m. Eastern on Friday, a step requiring airlines to scrub numerous flights and trigger a series of scheduling problems and hold-ups at key American travel hubs.

Administration Remarks

The administration's transportation head, Sean Duffy, commented on X Thursday that the action was “not politically driven” but rather “concerned with reviewing the data and reducing building risk in the system as flight directors continue working without pay”.

“It’s safe to fly today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the proactive actions we are taking,” Duffy stated.

Airline Cutbacks

Specialists anticipate hundreds or even thousands of flights could be canceled. The flight decreases could represent as many as 1,800 flights and more than 268,000 seats collectively, per an estimate by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Affected Airports

The targeted air hubs spanning over 25 states include the busiest ones across the US – including Georgia's capital, CLT, Colorado's hub, DFW, Orlando, California gateway, MIA and SFO. In some of the biggest cities – like New York, Houston and Chicago – several air terminals will be affected.

All three airports serving the Washington DC area – Washington Dulles international, BWI Airport and Reagan National – will be involved, certainly generating flight disruptions for government officials as well as the flying public.

Other Developments

• Here’s the roster of domestic airports reducing air travel on Friday due to federal government shutdown.
• A previous justice department staffer who hurled a sandwich at a federal officer during the administration's law enforcement presence in Washington DC received a not guilty verdict of assault by a DC jury on Thursday representing a recent legal setback of the federal involvement.
• Some Democratic legislators saw Tuesday’s big electoral wins as proof they should maintain their position and secure the best deal from conservative lawmakers before agreeing to end the lengthiest federal closure in history.
• Democratic officials lauded Nancy Pelosi as a “bold, groundbreaking” member of the US House of Representatives, an “legend” and the “greatest speaker in American history”, after her statement that post twenty congressional sessions in Congress she will leave office.
• The conservative leader, the director of the right-leaning policy organization behind the policy blueprint, has apologized for endorsing Tucker Carlson’s interview with Hitler supporter Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to step down.