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With the record-breaking federal government shutdown stretches toward day 38, US airspace are set to become a little less busy. This doesn't apply for US terminals.

Precautionary Steps Implemented

Donald Trump’s air traffic agency has said flight numbers are being lowered to uphold air traffic control safety during the federal government closure, now the longest recorded and with little indication of a agreement between conservative legislators and liberal officials to end the federal budget deadlock.

Airline regulators identified “busiest routes” where the FAA says air traffic must be reduced by 4% by 6 a.m. Eastern on Friday, an action that will compel airlines to cancel thousands of flights and create a series of scheduling complications and delays at major US air terminals.

Government Commentary

The federal transportation leader, Sean Duffy, wrote on online platforms Thursday that the action was “not about politics” but rather “concerned with reviewing the data and reducing 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 preventive measures we are taking,” Duffy remarked.

Travel Disruptions

Experts predict hundreds or even thousands of flights might be called off. The cuts might account for up to 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats collectively, based on an calculation by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Affected Airports

The involved terminals including numerous states include the highest-volume locations across the US – featuring Atlanta, CLT, Colorado's hub, Dallas/Fort Worth, MCO, Los Angeles, MIA and Bay Area airport. Among key urban centers – including NYC, Houston and Illinois hub – multiple airports will be involved.

Each of the three air terminals serving the Washington DC area – IAD, BWI Airport and DCA – will be involved, certainly generating delays and cancellations for lawmakers as well as the flying public.

Related Updates

• Here’s the list of US airports cutting flights on Friday because of federal government closure.
• An ex-DOJ worker who tossed food at a federal officer during the current law enforcement increase in Washington DC was found not guilty of assault by a DC jury on Thursday representing a recent legal rejection of the federal action.
• Certain Democratic lawmakers saw Tuesday’s big electoral wins as indication they should hold the line and extract as much as possible from GOP members before approving the termination of 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 “most accomplished leader in American history”, subsequent to her declaration that after 20 terms in Congress she plans to retire.
• The conservative leader, the chief of the conservative thinktank behind the policy blueprint, expressed regret for supporting Tucker Carlson’s interview with Hitler admirer Nick Fuentes, but is rejecting appeals to leave his position.