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Amid the unprecedented federal government shutdown stretches toward day 38, US flight paths is about to get a little less busy. This doesn't apply for US airports.

Precautionary Steps Enacted

Donald Trump’s air traffic agency has said flight numbers are being lowered to uphold air traffic control safety during the federal government funding lapse, now the longest recorded and with little indication of a agreement between Republicans and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget deadlock.

Flight oversight bodies pinpointed “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic must be reduced by 4% by early morning Eastern Time on Friday, an action that will compel airlines to call off thousands of journeys and cause a series of scheduling issues and hold-ups at key American travel hubs.

Official Statement

The federal transportation leader, Sean Duffy, stated on online platforms Thursday that the move was “not politically driven” but rather “about assessing the data and reducing growing safety concerns in the system as flight directors continue working without pay”.

“Air travel remains secure today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the forward-thinking steps we are taking,” Duffy stated.

Flight Cancellations

Analysts forecast hundreds if not thousands of flights might be called off. These reductions might account for approximately 1,800 flights and more than 268,000 seats combined, per an calculation by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Targeted Terminals

The affected airports spanning over 25 states include the highest-volume locations across the US – such as Atlanta, North Carolina's city, Colorado's hub, DFW, MCO, California gateway, Florida hotspot and San Francisco. Among key urban centers – such as New York, Houston and Chicago – several air terminals will be impacted.

Each of the three air terminals serving the nation's capital region – Washington Dulles international, Baltimore/Washington international and Reagan National – will be affected, certainly generating delays and cancellations for elected representatives as well as the flying public.

Other Developments

• This is the list of US airports reducing air travel on Friday because of federal government shutdown.
• A former Department of Justice employee who hurled a sandwich at a federal officer during the current law enforcement surge in the capital received a not guilty verdict of assault by a DC jury on Thursday marking another legal rebuke of the federal involvement.
• Several liberal representatives viewed Tuesday’s major voting successes as proof they should hold the line and secure the best deal from Republicans before approving the termination of the record-breaking budget standoff in history.
• Democratic officials lauded Nancy Pelosi as a “bold, groundbreaking” member of the US House of Representatives, an “icon” and the “finest presiding officer in American history”, after her statement that post twenty congressional sessions in Congress she plans to retire.
• The conservative leader, the leader of the right-leaning policy organization behind the policy blueprint, expressed regret for backing the commentator's interview with Hitler fan Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to resign.