FAA investigates airlines for potential flight cut compliance violations during government shutdown
In a significant development this week, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced an investigation into whether U.S. airlines adhered to flight reduction orders issued during the lengthy government shutdown that lasted 43 days. The shutdown, which began in December 2018, resulted in severe staffing shortages among air traffic controllers, prompting the FAA to implement emergency measures in November 2018. These measures mandated airlines to cut flights by 3% to 6% at 40 major airports across the country, a response to the growing safety concerns stemming from a lack of available air traffic control personnel. The FAA’s scrutiny comes as airlines now face potential fines of $75,000 for each flight that exceeded the mandated limits during this period.
The context of the FAA’s investigation is rooted in the operational challenges faced by airlines and air traffic control during the shutdown. With air traffic controllers not receiving pay, many chose to miss work, exacerbating the staffing crisis and raising alarms about flight safety. Data from Cirium, a flight analytics firm, revealed that airlines only implemented a mere 2% reduction in flights on November 14, despite the 6% cut mandated by the FAA. This discrepancy raises questions about the airlines’ compliance and the potential financial repercussions of the shutdown. Delta Airlines, for instance, reported a staggering loss of $200 million during the nine-day period when the flight cuts were supposed to be in effect, highlighting the significant economic impact of both the shutdown and the FAA’s orders.
The FAA lifted the flight restrictions just days after the shutdown ended on November 16, but the fallout from this period continues to resonate within the aviation industry. Airlines now have a 30-day window to demonstrate compliance with the FAA’s directives, as the agency seeks to ensure that safety protocols were followed during a tumultuous time. As this investigation unfolds, it underscores the delicate balance between operational efficiency and safety in the aviation sector, a balance that was severely tested during the government shutdown. The outcome of this inquiry could have lasting implications for airline operations and regulatory oversight in the future.
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.
