U.S. airlines are currently facing scrutiny following an emergency order stipulating flight reductions at 40 major airports during a significant government shutdown, according to a recent announcement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The agency confirmed it has initiated an investigation to determine whether airlines adhered to this order, which was pivotal in managing air traffic during the shutdown that lasted 43 days, beginning on October 1.
In letters sent to airlines earlier this week, the FAA indicated that non-compliance could result in hefty fines, amounting to as much as $75,000 for each flight that exceeded the mandated cuts. These reductions varied between 3%, 4%, and 6%, depending on the airport and the circumstances at the time. Airlines now have a 30-day window to present documentation verifying their compliance with the FAA’s directives.
The shutdown, which concluded on November 12, caused significant operational disruptions, including extensive delays, as air traffic controllers, working without pay, reported increased stress levels and opted to take on secondary jobs. This led the FAA to impose unprecedented cuts in domestic flights to maintain safety standards until staffing levels at control towers and facilities could return to normal.
Despite expectations that restrictions would be relaxed after the shutdown ended, the FAA imposed further flight reductions, maintaining the requirement for 6% cuts as late as November 14. Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium indicated that on that day, only 2% of scheduled U.S. departures were canceled, signifying a potential over-adherence to the order by airlines. Nonetheless, between November 7 and November 16, over 10,000 flights were canceled due to the compliance measures.
Delta Air Lines disclosed that it incurred a staggering $200 million loss as a direct result of the shutdown, marking the first revelation of the financial impact on major airlines stemming from this period of operational challenges.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has refrained from releasing specific safety data that informed the FAA’s decisions, but pointed to numerous incidents during the shutdown. These included instances of aircraft coming dangerously close to each other in flight, runway incursions, and concerns raised by pilots regarding the reactions of air traffic controllers.
The flight cancellations predominantly affected major hubs, including those in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. Initially, the FAA had aimed for a 10% reduction in flights, with the emergency order reflecting the agency’s commitment to ensuring safety amid the staffing crisis.
