FAA investigates airlines for potential flight cut compliance violations during government shutdown
This week, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it will launch an investigation into whether airlines adhered to flight cut orders issued during the record-long government shutdown under the Trump administration. The shutdown, which lasted 43 days, raised significant concerns about air traffic safety due to a shortage of air traffic control workers who were not being paid. In November, as the shutdown entered its second month, the FAA mandated that airlines reduce their flight schedules by 3% to 6% at 40 major U.S. airports to alleviate the strain on the dwindling workforce. These emergency measures were intended to ensure safety and maintain operational efficiency during a time of crisis.
The FAA’s investigation comes after reports indicated that airlines may not have fully complied with the mandated cuts. A letter sent to airlines this week warned that they could face hefty fines of up to $75,000 for each flight that exceeded the required limits during the shutdown. Airlines now have a 30-day window to demonstrate compliance with the FAA’s orders. Notably, data from Cirium, a flight analytics firm, revealed that while a 6% reduction was required on November 14, airlines only managed to cut about 2% of their flights. This discrepancy raises questions about the airlines’ adherence to safety protocols during a critical period when more than 10,000 flights were canceled across the U.S., and Delta Airlines reported a staggering loss of $200 million in revenue due to the operational disruptions.
The FAA lifted the flight restrictions shortly after the shutdown ended on November 16, but the implications of the investigation may resonate for some time. The agency’s scrutiny reflects broader concerns about the impact of government actions on airline operations and the safety of air travel. As the aviation industry continues to recover from the pandemic and navigate operational challenges, this investigation serves as a reminder of the importance of compliance with safety regulations and the potential consequences of failing to adhere to government mandates.
The Federal Aviation Administration this week told airlines it will investigate whether they complied with orders from the Trump administration during the record-long
government shutdown
to cut flights.
The orders came in November after the shutdown had been going for a month and airports were facing shortages of air traffic control workers.
The emergency order affected
40 major airports
in the U.S. and fluctuated between cuts of 3% to 6% for each airline before the shutdown ended on Nov. 12.
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In a letter sent Monday to U.S. airlines, the FAA warned that they could face $75,000 fines for each flight over the allotted limit during the shutdown.
Airlines have 30 days to prove they complied with the
required cuts
.
Air traffic controllers, like most other government workers, weren’t paid during the 43-day shutdown, and many missed work, sparking safety concerns.
The FAA lifted the restrictions Nov. 16, four days after the shutdown ended.
Despite the shutdown still being in effect Nov. 14 — when 6% flight cuts were required — only 2% of flights were actually cut, according to Cirium, a flight analytics firm.
The cuts also had a
major financial impact on airlines
, with Delta reporting that it lost $200 million between Nov. 7 and Nov. 16 when the order was in effect.
More than 10,000 flights were canceled in the U.S. during the nine-day period.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
