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As the unprecedented federal government standoff approaches day 38, US skies is about to get somewhat quieter. This doesn't apply for US airports.

Precautionary Steps Put in Place

Donald Trump’s aviation regulatory body stated flight numbers are being lowered to maintain air traffic control security during the federal government shutdown, now the longest recorded and with no apparent progress of a agreement between Republicans and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget impasse.

Flight oversight bodies identified “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic needs cutting by 4% by 6 a.m. Eastern on Friday, a step requiring airlines to scrub numerous flights and create a series of scheduling problems and hold-ups at key American travel hubs.

Administration Remarks

Trump’s transportation chief, Sean Duffy, stated on social media Thursday that the move was “not politically driven” but rather “concerned with reviewing the data and reducing accumulating danger in the system as controllers continue working without pay”.

“Flying is safe today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the forward-thinking steps we are taking,” the official remarked.

Airline Cutbacks

Specialists anticipate hundreds if not thousands of flights could be canceled. These reductions could represent approximately 1,800 flights and more than 268,000 seats combined, based on an estimate by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Impacted Locations

The targeted air hubs including more than two dozen states include the highest-volume locations across the US – including Georgia's capital, North Carolina's city, DEN, DFW, MCO, California gateway, Miami and San Francisco. Within major metropolitan areas – like NYC, Texas city and Chicago – various airports will be affected.

Each of the three air terminals operating in the Washington DC area – Dulles Airport, Baltimore/Washington international and DCA – will be affected, inevitably causing flight disruptions for lawmakers as well as other travelers.

Other Developments

• This is the roster of domestic airports decreasing flights on Friday due to federal government shutdown.
• A previous justice department staffer who hurled a sandwich at a federal agent during the administration's law enforcement surge in the capital was found not guilty of assault by a DC jury on Thursday representing a recent legal rebuke of the federal intervention.
• Several liberal representatives viewed Tuesday’s major voting successes as indication they should maintain their position and gain maximum concessions from GOP members before agreeing to end the record-breaking budget standoff in history.
• Liberal lawmakers commended Nancy Pelosi as a “heroic, trailblazing” member of the US House of Representatives, an “symbol” and the “finest presiding officer in American history”, subsequent to her statement that post twenty congressional sessions in Congress she intends to step down.
• The conservative leader, the leader of the right-leaning policy organization behind Project 2025, issued an apology for backing the commentator's interview with Hitler fan Nick Fuentes, but is rejecting appeals to leave his position.