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Amid the record-breaking federal government closure approaches day 38, US airspace will become a little less busy. The same cannot be said for US airports.

Protective Actions Enacted

The federal air traffic agency has said flights are being reduced to uphold air traffic control security during the federal government funding lapse, currently the lengthiest in history and with no sign of a resolution between Republicans and Democrats to end the federal budget standoff.

Aviation authorities pinpointed “congested corridors” where the FAA says air traffic must be reduced by 4% by 6 a.m. Eastern on Friday, a step requiring airlines to scrub numerous flights and create a cascade of scheduling complications and hold-ups at some of the nation’s largest airports.

Government Commentary

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

“It’s safe to fly today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the forward-thinking steps we are taking,” he added.

Flight Cancellations

Analysts forecast numerous potentially thousands of flights could be canceled. The cuts may constitute up to 1,800 flights and more than 268,000 seats collectively, per an calculation by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Affected Airports

The affected airports covering more than two dozen states include the busiest ones across the US – featuring ATL, North Carolina's city, Colorado's hub, Texas metroplex, MCO, California gateway, MIA and San Francisco. Among key urban centers – including NYC, Texas city and Illinois hub – multiple airports will be involved.

All three airports operating in the Washington DC area – Washington Dulles international, BWI Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be involved, likely creating schedule changes for elected representatives as well as the flying public.

Other Developments

• Here’s the compilation of American air terminals decreasing flights on Friday due to federal government closure.
• A former Department of Justice employee who tossed food at a federal officer during the current law enforcement increase in Washington DC received a not guilty verdict of assault by a DC jury on Thursday marking another legal setback of the federal action.
• Several liberal representatives interpreted Tuesday’s big electoral wins as indication they should hold the line and extract as much as possible from Republicans 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 “icon” and the “finest presiding officer in American history”, after her declaration that after 20 terms in Congress she plans to retire.
• Kevin Roberts, the leader of the conservative thinktank behind Project 2025, issued an apology for supporting Tucker Carlson’s interview with Hitler fan Nick Fuentes, but is rejecting appeals to leave his position.