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Amid the unprecedented federal government shutdown nears day 38, US flight paths will become a little less busy. The same cannot be said for US air travel hubs.

Safety Measures Implemented

The federal aviation regulatory body stated flights are being reduced to ensure air traffic control security during the federal government closure, currently the lengthiest in history and with no sign of a resolution between conservative legislators and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget deadlock.

Airline regulators 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 cancel thousands of flights and cause a series of scheduling problems and delays at major US air terminals.

Official Statement

The federal transportation leader, Sean Duffy, wrote on X Thursday that the action was “unrelated to political motives” but rather “concerned with reviewing the data and alleviating 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 forward-thinking steps we are taking,” Duffy remarked.

Airline Cutbacks

Experts predict hundreds if not thousands of flights may be scrapped. The flight decreases may constitute as many as 1,800 flights and upwards of 268,000 seats collectively, based on an calculation by the aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Impacted Locations

The involved terminals spanning over 25 states include the busiest ones across the US – such as Atlanta, CLT, Denver, Dallas/Fort Worth, MCO, LAX, MIA and Bay Area airport. Within major metropolitan areas – such as New York, Houston and Illinois hub – multiple airports will be affected.

The trio of airports operating in the DC metro – IAD, BWI and DCA – will be involved, likely creating schedule changes for elected representatives as well as other travelers.

Related Updates

• Below is the roster of domestic airports reducing air travel on Friday because of federal government shutdown.
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