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As the record-breaking federal government standoff approaches day 38, US flight paths will become less congested. The same cannot be said for US air travel hubs.

Precautionary Steps Put in Place

Donald Trump’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced air travel is being curtailed to uphold air traffic control safety during the federal government funding lapse, currently the lengthiest in history and with little indication of a solution between GOP lawmakers and Democrats to end the federal budget standoff.

Flight oversight bodies selected “high-volume markets” where the FAA says air traffic needs cutting by 4% by 6 a.m. Eastern on Friday, a move that would force airlines to cancel thousands of flights and trigger a chain reaction of scheduling issues and hold-ups at key American travel hubs.

Official Statement

Trump’s transportation chief, Sean Duffy, commented on X Thursday that the action 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 added.

Airline Cutbacks

Analysts forecast numerous potentially thousands of flights could be canceled. These reductions might account for as many as 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats combined, based on an projection by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Targeted Terminals

The targeted air hubs covering more than two dozen states include the highest-volume locations across the US – including Georgia's capital, North Carolina's city, Denver, Texas metroplex, MCO, Los Angeles, MIA and San Francisco. In some of the biggest cities – including NYC, Houston and Illinois hub – various airports will be affected.

The trio of airports operating in the DC metro – IAD, Baltimore/Washington international and Ronald Reagan Washington national – will be affected, inevitably causing schedule changes for lawmakers as well as other travelers.

Other Developments

• Below is the list of US airports cutting flights on Friday due to federal government funding lapse.
• An ex-DOJ worker who tossed food at a federal agent during Donald Trump’s law enforcement surge in DC was acquitted of assault by a DC jury on Thursday representing a recent legal setback of the federal intervention.
• Some Democratic legislators viewed Tuesday’s significant election victories as indication they should maintain their position and gain maximum concessions from GOP members 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 “legend” and the “most accomplished leader in American history”, after her statement that post twenty congressional sessions in Congress she will leave office.
• Kevin Roberts, the leader of the right-leaning policy organization behind Project 2025, expressed regret for backing the commentator's interview with Hitler fan Nick Fuentes, but is resisting calls to resign.