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Amid the record-breaking federal government standoff nears day 38, US airspace will become less congested. The same cannot be said for US airports.

Precautionary Steps Enacted

The federal Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced air travel is being curtailed to ensure air traffic control security during the federal government funding lapse, now the longest recorded and with no sign of a resolution between conservative legislators and Democrats to end the federal budget impasse.

Flight oversight bodies identified “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic needs cutting by 4% by early morning Eastern Time on Friday, a step requiring airlines to scrub numerous flights and create a chain reaction of scheduling complications and setbacks at some of the nation’s largest airports.

Official Statement

The administration's transportation head, Sean Duffy, wrote on X Thursday that the action was “not politically driven” but rather “about assessing the data and alleviating growing safety concerns in the system as controllers continue working without pay”.

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

Travel Disruptions

Experts predict hundreds or even thousands of flights could be canceled. These reductions may constitute up to 1,800 flights and more than 268,000 seats collectively, per an calculation by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Impacted Locations

The targeted air hubs covering over 25 states include the busiest ones across the US – featuring Atlanta, Charlotte, Denver, Dallas/Fort Worth, Orlando, Los Angeles, MIA and San Francisco. Within major metropolitan areas – including NYC, Texas city and Illinois hub – several air terminals will be impacted.

Each of the three air terminals operating in the Washington DC area – Washington Dulles international, Baltimore/Washington international and Reagan National – will be affected, inevitably causing flight disruptions for lawmakers as well as the flying public.

Related Updates

• Here’s the compilation of American air terminals reducing air travel on Friday due to federal government shutdown.
• A previous justice department staffer who threw a sandwich at a government officer during Donald Trump’s law enforcement surge in DC was found not guilty of assault by a DC jury on Thursday in the latest legal setback of the federal action.
• Some Democratic legislators interpreted Tuesday’s big electoral wins as proof they should hold the line and secure the best deal from conservative lawmakers before consenting to conclude the lengthiest federal closure in history.
• Democrats praised Nancy Pelosi as a “heroic, trailblazing” member of the US House of Representatives, an “symbol” and the “greatest speaker in American history”, subsequent to her declaration that post twenty congressional sessions in Congress she intends to step down.
• Kevin Roberts, the leader of the conservative thinktank behind Project 2025, issued an apology for backing Tucker Carlson’s interview with Hitler supporter Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to resign.