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Amid the historic federal government closure stretches toward day 38, US airspace will become a little less busy. This doesn't apply for US air travel hubs.

Precautionary Steps Put in Place

The federal air traffic agency has said flight numbers are being lowered to maintain air traffic control operational integrity during the federal government shutdown, currently the lengthiest in history and with no apparent progress of a agreement between conservative legislators and liberal officials to end the federal budget standoff.

Airline regulators selected “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 scrub numerous flights and create a series of scheduling complications and delays at some of the nation’s largest airports.

Official Statement

Trump’s transportation chief, Sean Duffy, stated on online platforms Thursday that the move was “unrelated to political motives” but rather “involving evaluation the data and alleviating accumulating danger 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 proactive actions we are taking,” Duffy remarked.

Airline Cutbacks

Analysts forecast hundreds if not thousands of flights may be scrapped. The flight decreases might account for approximately 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats collectively, according to an projection by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Targeted Terminals

The targeted air hubs spanning over 25 states include the busiest ones across the US – such as Atlanta, CLT, DEN, Dallas/Fort Worth, MCO, LAX, Florida hotspot and Bay Area airport. Among key urban centers – like NYC, Texas city and Chicago – multiple airports will be impacted.

The trio of airports serving the DC metro – IAD, BWI Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be involved, inevitably causing flight disruptions for elected representatives as well as additional passengers.

Other Developments

• Here’s the roster of domestic airports reducing air travel on Friday because of federal government shutdown.
• A former Department of Justice employee who hurled a sandwich at a federal agent during Donald Trump’s law enforcement increase in Washington DC was found not guilty of assault by a DC jury on Thursday in the latest legal rebuke of the federal intervention.
• Several liberal representatives saw Tuesday’s big electoral wins as proof they should maintain their position and gain maximum concessions from Republicans before agreeing to end the longest government shutdown in history.
• Liberal lawmakers commended Nancy Pelosi as a “bold, groundbreaking” member of the US House of Representatives, an “legend” and the “finest presiding officer in American history”, following her declaration that following two decades in Congress she plans to retire.
• The thinktank head, the director 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 step down.