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With the record-breaking federal government standoff stretches toward day 38, US skies are set to become less congested. This doesn't apply for US airports.

Precautionary Steps Enacted

The federal air traffic agency announced flights are being reduced to uphold air traffic control operational integrity during the federal government funding lapse, currently the lengthiest in history and with no apparent progress of a solution between Republicans and Democrats to end the federal budget impasse.

Flight oversight bodies selected “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic needs cutting by 4% by 6am ET on Friday, a step requiring airlines to call off thousands of journeys and cause a series of scheduling problems and setbacks at key American travel hubs.

Administration Remarks

The federal transportation leader, Sean Duffy, wrote on X Thursday that the action was “not politically driven” but rather “concerned with reviewing the data and alleviating accumulating danger in the system as controllers continue working without pay”.

“Flying is safe today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the proactive actions we are taking,” the official added.

Travel Disruptions

Specialists anticipate hundreds if not thousands of flights might be called off. The cuts could represent approximately 1,800 flights and over 268,000 seats combined, according to an estimate by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Targeted Terminals

The affected airports including over 25 states include the most trafficked across the US – featuring Atlanta, CLT, DEN, Texas metroplex, Florida destination, LAX, MIA and SFO. Among key urban centers – including NYC, Texas city and Illinois hub – multiple airports will be involved.

The trio of airports serving the DC metro – IAD, BWI Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be affected, likely creating flight disruptions for elected representatives as well as other travelers.

Additional Developments

• Below is the roster of domestic airports cutting flights on Friday as a result of federal government shutdown.
• A former Department of Justice employee who hurled a sandwich at a federal officer during Donald Trump’s law enforcement increase in DC was found not guilty of assault by a DC jury on Thursday in the latest legal rejection of the federal action.
• Certain Democratic lawmakers interpreted Tuesday’s major voting successes as proof they should stand firm and extract as much as possible from GOP members before approving the termination of the longest government shutdown in history.
• Democrats praised Nancy Pelosi as a “courageous, pioneering” member of the US House of Representatives, an “symbol” and the “most accomplished leader in American history”, after her statement that post twenty congressional sessions in Congress she intends to step down.
• Kevin Roberts, the leader of the political research group behind Project 2025, issued an apology for endorsing Tucker Carlson’s interview with Hitler supporter Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to step down.