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Amid the record-breaking federal government standoff stretches toward day 38, US flight paths will become a little less busy. This doesn't apply for US air travel hubs.

Protective Actions Put in Place

The federal aviation regulatory body announced air travel is being curtailed to maintain air traffic control operational integrity during the federal government funding lapse, currently the lengthiest in history and with no sign of a agreement between conservative legislators and liberal officials to end the federal budget standoff.

Flight oversight bodies selected “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic must be reduced by 4% by 6am ET on Friday, a step requiring airlines to call off thousands of journeys and cause a series of scheduling complications and hold-ups at major US air terminals.

Official Statement

Trump’s transportation chief, Sean Duffy, wrote on online platforms Thursday that the move was “not politically driven” but rather “concerned with reviewing the data and mitigating 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.

Travel Disruptions

Specialists anticipate hundreds if not thousands of flights could be canceled. The flight decreases could represent approximately 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats collectively, according to an calculation by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Affected Airports

The targeted air hubs including more than two dozen states include the highest-volume locations across the US – such as ATL, Charlotte, DEN, Dallas/Fort Worth, Florida destination, Los Angeles, MIA and Bay Area airport. In some of the biggest cities – including New York, Texas city and Illinois hub – several air terminals will be involved.

All three airports operating in the nation's capital region – Washington Dulles international, BWI Airport and Reagan National – will be affected, likely creating delays and cancellations for government officials as well as the flying public.

Additional Developments

• This is the list of US airports decreasing flights on Friday because of federal government closure.
• An ex-DOJ worker who threw a sandwich at a government officer during Donald Trump’s law enforcement presence in DC was acquitted of assault by a DC jury on Thursday representing a recent legal rejection of the federal intervention.
• Several liberal representatives interpreted Tuesday’s major voting successes as evidence they should stand firm and secure the best deal from GOP members before agreeing to end the longest government shutdown in history.
• Democrats praised Nancy Pelosi as a “bold, groundbreaking” member of the US House of Representatives, an “legend” and the “greatest speaker in American history”, subsequent to her declaration that post twenty congressional sessions in Congress she intends to step down.
• The thinktank head, the director of the political research group behind the policy blueprint, has apologized for supporting Tucker Carlson’s interview with Hitler fan Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to leave his position.