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With the unprecedented federal government shutdown approaches day 38, US airspace are set to become less congested. The same cannot be said for US airports.

Safety Measures Enacted

The federal air traffic agency has said flight numbers are being lowered to maintain air traffic control operational integrity during the federal government funding lapse, currently the lengthiest in history and with no sign of a resolution between GOP lawmakers and Democrats to end the federal budget impasse.

Flight oversight bodies identified “busiest routes” where the FAA says air traffic needs cutting by 4% by early morning Eastern Time on Friday, an action that will compel airlines to cancel thousands of flights and create a chain reaction of scheduling complications and delays at key American travel hubs.

Administration Remarks

The federal transportation leader, Sean Duffy, stated on online platforms Thursday that the decision was “not about politics” but rather “concerned with reviewing the data and mitigating growing safety concerns in the system as air traffic professionals continue working without pay”.

“Flying is safe today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the proactive actions we are taking,” he remarked.

Flight Cancellations

Experts predict hundreds if not thousands of flights could be canceled. These reductions may constitute as many as 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats combined, according to an calculation by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Affected Airports

The involved terminals including over 25 states include the highest-volume locations across the US – such as Atlanta, Charlotte, DEN, DFW, Florida destination, LAX, Florida hotspot and SFO. Within major metropolitan areas – including NYC, Houston and Illinois hub – various airports will be impacted.

All three airports serving the Washington DC area – Dulles Airport, BWI Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be affected, certainly generating flight disruptions for elected representatives as well as additional passengers.

Related Updates

• Here’s the compilation of American air terminals decreasing flights on Friday as a result of federal government shutdown.
• A previous justice department staffer who threw a sandwich at a federal agent during the administration's law enforcement increase in DC was found not guilty of assault by a DC jury on Thursday marking another legal rejection of the federal intervention.
• Several liberal representatives saw Tuesday’s big electoral wins as proof they should stand firm and gain maximum concessions from conservative lawmakers before consenting to conclude the lengthiest federal closure 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”, after her announcement that following two decades in Congress she plans to retire.
• Kevin Roberts, the director of the conservative thinktank behind the conservative initiative, expressed regret for backing the commentator's interview with Hitler fan Nick Fuentes, but is declining demands to leave his position.