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Amid the unprecedented federal government closure nears day 38, US airspace are set to become somewhat quieter. Contrastingly for US air travel hubs.

Safety Measures Put in Place

The federal aviation regulatory body stated air travel is being curtailed to maintain air traffic control operational integrity during the federal government shutdown, setting a new duration record and with no sign of a agreement between conservative legislators and Democrats to end the federal budget impasse.

Aviation authorities pinpointed “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic requires reduction by 4% by 6 a.m. Eastern on Friday, an action that will compel airlines to scrub numerous flights and trigger a cascade of scheduling problems and hold-ups at major US air terminals.

Administration Remarks

The administration's transportation head, Sean Duffy, stated on social media Thursday that the move was “not politically driven” but rather “involving evaluation the data and reducing building risk in the system as controllers continue working without pay”.

“It’s safe to fly today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the preventive measures we are taking,” the official added.

Airline Cutbacks

Analysts forecast numerous potentially thousands of flights might be called off. These reductions could represent approximately 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats total, according to an estimate by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Targeted Terminals

The targeted air hubs covering over 25 states include the highest-volume locations across the US – including Georgia's capital, Charlotte, DEN, DFW, Florida destination, California gateway, MIA and SFO. Among key urban centers – like NYC, Texas city and Illinois hub – several air terminals will be impacted.

Each of the three air terminals serving the DC metro – Washington Dulles international, Baltimore/Washington international and Reagan National – will be impacted, certainly generating schedule changes for government officials as well as other travelers.

Related Updates

• Here’s the compilation of American air terminals cutting flights on Friday because of federal government closure.
• An ex-DOJ worker who tossed food at a federal agent during the administration's law enforcement surge in Washington DC was found not guilty of assault by a DC jury on Thursday representing a recent legal setback of the federal intervention.
• Several liberal representatives viewed Tuesday’s major voting successes as evidence they should maintain their position and gain maximum concessions from conservative lawmakers before agreeing to end the record-breaking budget standoff in history.
• Liberal lawmakers commended Nancy Pelosi as a “courageous, pioneering” member of the US House of Representatives, an “icon” and the “most accomplished leader in American history”, following her declaration that after 20 terms in Congress she intends to step down.
• Kevin Roberts, the director of the right-leaning policy organization behind the policy blueprint, has apologized for endorsing Tucker Carlson’s interview with Hitler admirer Nick Fuentes, but is declining demands to leave his position.