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Amid the record-breaking federal government closure nears day 38, US skies will become less congested. This doesn't apply for US terminals.

Protective Actions Implemented

Donald Trump’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has said air travel is being curtailed to uphold air traffic control security during the federal government funding lapse, setting a new duration record and with no apparent progress of a resolution between GOP lawmakers and liberal officials to end the federal budget impasse.

Flight oversight bodies selected “busiest routes” where the FAA says air traffic must be reduced by 4% by 6 a.m. Eastern on Friday, a move that would force airlines to call off thousands of journeys and trigger a chain reaction of scheduling complications and delays at major US air terminals.

Government Commentary

The administration's transportation head, Sean Duffy, commented on X Thursday that the action was “not about politics” but rather “concerned with reviewing the data and alleviating accumulating danger in the system as flight directors continue working without pay”.

“It’s safe to fly today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the forward-thinking steps we are taking,” he remarked.

Flight Cancellations

Analysts forecast hundreds or even thousands of flights could be canceled. These reductions might account for up to 1,800 flights and over 268,000 seats total, according to an projection by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Targeted Terminals

The targeted air hubs spanning over 25 states include the most trafficked across the US – such as Atlanta, CLT, DEN, Texas metroplex, Orlando, LAX, Florida hotspot and Bay Area airport. In some of the biggest cities – such as New York, Houston and Illinois hub – multiple airports will be impacted.

Each of the three air terminals operating in the Washington DC area – Dulles Airport, BWI Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be involved, certainly generating schedule changes for government officials as well as other travelers.

Other Developments

• This is the roster of domestic airports decreasing flights on Friday as a result of federal government funding lapse.
• A previous justice department staffer who threw a sandwich at a federal officer during the current law enforcement presence in the capital was found not guilty of assault by a DC jury on Thursday in the latest legal rebuke of the federal involvement.
• Some Democratic legislators interpreted Tuesday’s major voting successes as evidence they should stand firm and gain maximum concessions from conservative lawmakers before agreeing to end the lengthiest federal closure 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”, following her declaration that after 20 terms in Congress she plans to retire.
• The conservative leader, the chief of the political research group behind Project 2025, issued an apology for endorsing Tucker Carlson’s interview with Hitler supporter Nick Fuentes, but is rejecting appeals to resign.