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Amid the record-breaking federal government standoff stretches toward day 38, US airspace will become somewhat quieter. The same cannot be said for US airports.

Precautionary Steps Implemented

Donald Trump’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced flight numbers are being lowered to ensure air traffic control security during the federal government closure, currently the lengthiest in history and with no sign of a agreement between Republicans and Democrats to end the federal budget deadlock.

Airline regulators identified “congested corridors” where the FAA says air traffic needs cutting by 4% by early morning Eastern Time on Friday, an action that will compel airlines to call off thousands of journeys and cause a series of scheduling issues and delays at some of the nation’s largest airports.

Administration Remarks

The federal transportation leader, Sean Duffy, commented on online platforms Thursday that the move was “unrelated to political motives” but rather “about assessing the data and alleviating growing safety concerns in the system as air traffic professionals continue working without pay”.

“Flying is safe today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the forward-thinking steps we are taking,” Duffy added.

Airline Cutbacks

Specialists anticipate hundreds if not thousands of flights may be scrapped. The cuts might account for up to 1,800 flights and over 268,000 seats total, per an projection by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Targeted Terminals

The involved terminals covering more than two dozen states include the busiest ones across the US – featuring Atlanta, Charlotte, Colorado's hub, Texas metroplex, MCO, LAX, Miami and SFO. Within major metropolitan areas – like New York, Houston and Chicago – several air terminals will be impacted.

Each of the three air terminals operating in the Washington DC area – IAD, BWI and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be affected, likely creating schedule changes for lawmakers as well as the flying public.

Related Updates

• This is the roster of domestic airports reducing air travel on Friday as a result of federal government closure.
• A former Department of Justice employee who tossed food at a federal agent during the administration's law enforcement presence in DC was acquitted of assault by a DC jury on Thursday marking another legal setback of the federal involvement.
• Certain Democratic lawmakers interpreted Tuesday’s major voting successes as evidence they should stand firm and gain maximum concessions from GOP members before consenting to conclude the lengthiest federal closure in history.
• Liberal lawmakers commended Nancy Pelosi as a “bold, groundbreaking” member of the US House of Representatives, an “legend” and the “greatest speaker in American history”, subsequent to her declaration that post twenty congressional sessions in Congress she will leave office.
• The thinktank head, the leader of the conservative thinktank behind Project 2025, has apologized for backing Tucker Carlson’s interview with Hitler fan Nick Fuentes, but is rejecting appeals to leave his position.