🔗 Share this article Government Reduces US Air Travel as Government Closure Stretches On As the historic federal government standoff nears day 38, US skies will become less congested. The same cannot be said for US airports. Precautionary Steps Implemented The current administration's aviation regulatory body stated air travel is being curtailed to ensure air traffic control safety during the federal government closure, now the longest recorded and with no apparent progress of a resolution between conservative legislators and Democratic representatives to end the federal budget standoff. 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 scrub numerous flights and create a series of scheduling complications and setbacks at key American travel hubs. Government Commentary The federal transportation leader, Sean Duffy, commented on online platforms Thursday that the decision was “unrelated to political motives” but rather “about assessing the data and alleviating building risk in the system as controllers continue working without pay”. “Flying is safe today, tomorrow, and the day after because of the forward-thinking steps we are taking,” the official added. Travel Disruptions Experts predict hundreds or even thousands of flights may be scrapped. These reductions could represent as many as 1,800 flights and over 268,000 seats collectively, based on an estimate by the aviation analytics firm Cirium. Affected Airports The involved terminals including more than two dozen states include the most trafficked across the US – featuring Atlanta, Charlotte, Colorado's hub, DFW, Florida destination, California gateway, MIA and SFO. Within major metropolitan areas – such as NYC, Houston and Chicago – various airports will be affected. The trio of airports serving the nation's capital region – Washington Dulles international, BWI and Reagan National – will be impacted, likely creating flight disruptions for government officials as well as other travelers. Other Developments Below is the compilation of American air terminals cutting flights on Friday due to federal government shutdown. A former Department of Justice employee who hurled a sandwich at a government officer during the administration's law enforcement presence in DC received a not guilty verdict of assault by a DC jury on Thursday in the latest legal rebuke of the federal action. Certain Democratic lawmakers interpreted Tuesday’s major voting successes as evidence they should hold the line and extract as much as possible from conservative lawmakers before consenting to conclude the lengthiest federal closure in history. Democrats praised Nancy Pelosi as a “heroic, trailblazing” member of the US House of Representatives, an “icon” and the “most accomplished leader in American history”, following her announcement that post twenty congressional sessions in Congress she plans to retire. The thinktank head, the chief of the conservative thinktank behind the policy blueprint, has apologized for backing the host's interview with Hitler admirer Nick Fuentes, but is rejecting appeals to step down.