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As the historic federal government standoff nears day 38, US airspace are set to become somewhat quieter. The same cannot be said for US air travel hubs.

Protective Actions Enacted

The federal aviation regulatory body has said air travel is being curtailed to ensure air traffic control safety during the federal government funding lapse, setting a new duration record and with little indication of a solution between conservative legislators and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget impasse.

Airline regulators identified “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic requires reduction by 4% by 6 a.m. Eastern on Friday, a step requiring airlines to call off thousands of journeys and create a series of scheduling issues and hold-ups at some of the nation’s largest airports.

Administration Remarks

The federal transportation leader, Sean Duffy, stated on X Thursday that the action was “unrelated to political motives” but rather “concerned with reviewing the data and reducing building risk 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 added.

Flight Cancellations

Experts predict hundreds if not thousands of flights could be canceled. These reductions could represent as many as 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats combined, according to an calculation by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Targeted Terminals

The involved terminals including numerous states include the most trafficked across the US – such as Atlanta, Charlotte, Colorado's hub, Dallas/Fort Worth, Orlando, LAX, Miami and Bay Area airport. Within major metropolitan areas – like NYC, Houston and Illinois hub – various airports will be affected.

All three airports serving the Washington DC area – IAD, BWI Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be involved, inevitably causing delays and cancellations for lawmakers as well as the flying public.

Additional Developments

• Here’s the roster of domestic airports reducing air travel on Friday due to federal government closure.
• A previous justice department staffer who tossed food at a federal agent during the current law enforcement presence in DC received a not guilty verdict of assault by a DC jury on Thursday marking another legal setback of the federal action.
• Certain Democratic lawmakers interpreted Tuesday’s big electoral wins as indication they should maintain their position and extract as much as possible from GOP members 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 “most accomplished leader in American history”, following her announcement that post twenty congressional sessions in Congress she plans to retire.
• Kevin Roberts, the director of the political research group behind Project 2025, expressed regret for supporting the host's interview with Hitler admirer Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to leave his position.