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As the record-breaking federal government standoff nears day 38, US skies will become somewhat quieter. This doesn't apply for US terminals.

Protective Actions Enacted

Donald Trump’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has said flights are being reduced to maintain air traffic control security during the federal government funding lapse, now the longest recorded and with no sign of a solution between conservative legislators and liberal officials to end the federal budget deadlock.

Airline regulators selected “congested corridors” 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 problems and delays at major US air terminals.

Administration Remarks

The federal transportation leader, Sean Duffy, commented on X Thursday that the decision was “not politically driven” but rather “about assessing the data and mitigating growing safety concerns in the system as controllers continue working without pay”.

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

Airline Cutbacks

Analysts forecast hundreds or even thousands of flights could be canceled. The cuts could represent approximately 1,800 flights and more than 268,000 seats total, based on an projection by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Impacted Locations

The involved terminals covering numerous states include the highest-volume locations across the US – such as Atlanta, North Carolina's city, Denver, DFW, MCO, California gateway, MIA and Bay Area airport. Among key urban centers – including New York, Texas city and Illinois hub – multiple airports will be involved.

All three airports operating in the DC metro – IAD, Baltimore/Washington international and DCA – will be involved, likely creating delays and cancellations for lawmakers as well as the flying public.

Other Developments

• Here’s the roster of domestic airports cutting flights on Friday because of federal government funding lapse.
• A previous justice department staffer who tossed food at a government officer during Donald Trump’s law enforcement increase in DC was acquitted of assault by a DC jury on Thursday representing a recent legal rejection of the federal action.
• Certain Democratic lawmakers viewed Tuesday’s major voting successes as proof they should stand firm and gain maximum concessions from Republicans before consenting to conclude the record-breaking budget standoff in history.
• Democratic officials lauded Nancy Pelosi as a “heroic, trailblazing” member of the US House of Representatives, an “symbol” and the “finest presiding officer in American history”, following her announcement that after 20 terms in Congress she will leave office.
• The thinktank head, the director of the conservative thinktank behind the policy blueprint, issued an apology for backing the commentator's interview with Hitler supporter Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to leave his position.