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With the historic federal government standoff stretches toward day 38, US skies will become somewhat quieter. This doesn't apply for US air travel hubs.

Precautionary Steps Put in Place

Donald Trump’s aviation regulatory body announced flight numbers are being lowered to maintain air traffic control safety during the federal government funding lapse, setting a new duration record and with no sign of a resolution between Republicans and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget impasse.

Aviation authorities selected “busiest routes” where the FAA says air traffic requires reduction by 4% by 6am ET on Friday, a step requiring airlines to call off thousands of journeys and create a chain reaction of scheduling problems and hold-ups at key American travel hubs.

Administration Remarks

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

“Air travel remains secure today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the preventive measures we are taking,” he added.

Airline Cutbacks

Specialists anticipate hundreds if not thousands of flights could be canceled. The flight decreases may constitute approximately 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 covering more than two dozen states include the highest-volume locations across the US – such as Georgia's capital, North Carolina's city, Colorado's hub, Texas metroplex, MCO, California gateway, Miami and Bay Area airport. In some of the biggest cities – like NYC, Houston and Chicago – multiple airports will be affected.

Each of the three air terminals serving the nation's capital region – IAD, Baltimore/Washington international and Reagan National – will be impacted, certainly generating flight disruptions for lawmakers as well as other travelers.

Additional Developments

• Below is the roster of domestic airports cutting flights on Friday because of federal government funding lapse.
• A previous justice department staffer who tossed food at a federal officer during the current law enforcement increase in the capital was found not guilty of assault by a DC jury on Thursday marking another legal setback of the federal action.
• Some Democratic legislators interpreted Tuesday’s significant election victories as proof they should maintain their position and extract as much as possible from GOP members before consenting to conclude the lengthiest federal closure in history.
• Democrats praised 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 statement that following two decades in Congress she plans to retire.
• Kevin Roberts, the director of the conservative thinktank behind the conservative initiative, has apologized for supporting the host's interview with Hitler supporter Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to leave his position.