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With the record-breaking federal government closure approaches day 38, US flight paths is about to get less congested. This doesn't apply for US air travel hubs.

Protective Actions Implemented

Donald Trump’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced flights are being reduced to maintain air traffic control safety during the federal government shutdown, setting a new duration record and with no sign of a solution between GOP lawmakers and liberal officials to end the federal budget standoff.

Flight oversight bodies pinpointed “busiest routes” where the FAA says air traffic requires reduction by 4% by 6 a.m. Eastern on Friday, a move that would force airlines to call off thousands of journeys and cause a chain reaction of scheduling problems and hold-ups at major US air terminals.

Administration Remarks

The federal transportation leader, Sean Duffy, wrote on X Thursday that the move was “not politically driven” but rather “concerned with reviewing the data and reducing building risk in the system as air traffic professionals continue working without pay”.

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

Airline Cutbacks

Analysts forecast numerous potentially thousands of flights might be called off. The flight decreases could represent approximately 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats collectively, according to an estimate by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Targeted Terminals

The targeted air hubs including more than two dozen states include the most trafficked across the US – such as Georgia's capital, Charlotte, Colorado's hub, Texas metroplex, Orlando, Los Angeles, MIA and SFO. Among key urban centers – like NYC, Houston and Illinois hub – multiple airports will be impacted.

Each of the three air terminals operating in the Washington DC area – IAD, Baltimore/Washington international and DCA – will be involved, inevitably causing delays and cancellations for lawmakers as well as other travelers.

Related Updates

• Below is the list of US airports reducing air travel on Friday due to federal government shutdown.
• A previous justice department staffer who hurled a sandwich at a federal officer during Donald Trump’s law enforcement increase in DC was acquitted of assault by a DC jury on Thursday marking another legal rejection of the federal intervention.
• Some Democratic legislators interpreted Tuesday’s big electoral wins as indication they should stand firm and gain maximum concessions from Republicans before consenting to conclude the record-breaking budget standoff in history.
• Liberal lawmakers commended 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.
• The conservative leader, the chief of the right-leaning policy organization behind Project 2025, expressed regret for supporting Tucker Carlson’s interview with Hitler supporter Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to step down.