U.S. FAA Cuts Mandatory Flight Reductions From 6% to 3% After Shutdown Ends
Federal authorities reduce mandated reductions from 6% to 3% at major airports.
The U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration have reduced mandatory flight cuts at 40 key airports from 6% to 3%, effective immediately. The decision follows the conclusion of the 35-day government shutdown and aims to restore operational capacity ahead of peak holiday travel demand. The adjustment applies to major hubs including New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, where congestion had intensified due to prior restrictions.
The restrictions originated from severe air traffic controller shortages during the funding lapse, which began at 4% on November 7 and escalated to 6% before stabilization. Regulators cited safety concerns, including delayed controller responses, increased workload, and pilot reports of communication lapses, as justification for limiting flight volumes to prevent operational risks. The measures were designed to maintain separation standards and reduce the likelihood of runway incursions or mid-air conflicts.
Improvements in staffing and payroll resumption prompted the FAA to scale back restrictions. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford stated that the cuts were a precautionary measure to protect overextended personnel, with ongoing monitoring of system performance over the weekend. The agency has deployed additional supervisory staff and is tracking controller fatigue metrics in real time to ensure sustained operational integrity.
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Congressional Democrats have demanded detailed safety reports and risk assessments underpinning the original cuts, raising concerns over transparency. Airline executives have echoed calls for clearer data on near-miss incidents, controller performance metrics, and the specific thresholds used to trigger capacity reductions. The House Transportation Committee has scheduled a briefing with FAA officials next week to review the data.
The 3% reduction remains temporary, with full restoration possible early next week if operations remain stable. The episode highlights vulnerabilities in the national aviation system tied to federal funding disruptions, particularly the reliance on continuous payroll for critical safety personnel. Industry analysts predict a gradual return to pre-shutdown schedules, though some carriers may face lingering delays in crew repositioning and aircraft maintenance backlogs.
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