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Amid the unprecedented federal government standoff stretches toward day 38, US airspace will become less congested. Contrastingly for US air travel hubs.

Safety Measures Implemented

The current administration's air traffic agency has said flight numbers are being lowered to ensure air traffic control security during the federal government shutdown, now the longest recorded and with little indication of a solution between GOP lawmakers and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget deadlock.

Aviation authorities selected “congested corridors” where the FAA says air traffic requires reduction by 4% by early morning Eastern Time on Friday, a move that would force airlines to cancel thousands of flights and cause a chain reaction of scheduling issues and setbacks at major US air terminals.

Administration Remarks

The administration's transportation head, Sean Duffy, stated on social media Thursday that the decision was “not politically driven” but rather “about assessing the data and mitigating 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 forward-thinking steps we are taking,” the official stated.

Airline Cutbacks

Analysts forecast numerous potentially thousands of flights could be canceled. The flight decreases could represent approximately 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats combined, based on an estimate by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Affected Airports

The involved terminals including more than two dozen states include the most trafficked across the US – including Atlanta, CLT, DEN, Texas metroplex, Orlando, California gateway, MIA and San Francisco. Within major metropolitan areas – such as NYC, Houston and Chicago – various airports will be involved.

Each of the three air terminals operating in the nation's capital region – IAD, Baltimore/Washington international and DCA – will be involved, likely creating schedule changes for lawmakers as well as the flying public.

Additional Developments

• Below is the roster of domestic airports cutting flights on Friday because of federal government shutdown.
• A former Department of Justice employee who tossed food at a federal officer during the current law enforcement surge in Washington DC was acquitted of assault by a DC jury on Thursday marking another legal rejection of the federal action.
• Some Democratic legislators viewed Tuesday’s big electoral wins as evidence they should hold the line and gain maximum concessions from Republicans before agreeing to end the record-breaking budget standoff in history.
• Democratic officials lauded Nancy Pelosi as a “bold, groundbreaking” member of the US House of Representatives, an “symbol” and the “greatest speaker in American history”, subsequent to her announcement that following two decades in Congress she will leave office.
• The conservative leader, the leader of the conservative thinktank behind the conservative initiative, expressed regret for backing the host's interview with Hitler supporter Nick Fuentes, but is rejecting appeals to resign.