On Friday, the FAA announced it will reduce its restrictions at 40 major U.S. airports from 6% to 3% flight cuts after the recent government shutdown. This measure is aimed at alleviating the backlog and operational stress from the extended shutdown. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized that safety is the priority and that measures will remain in place until controller staffing stabilizes. During the shutdown, many air traffic controllers faced financial stress due to missed paychecks, leading to a concerning rise in absences. There are fears that the operational issues could continue affecting flights as many planes are still out of position. Airline groups have expressed hope that operations may normalize soon, especially with the holiday travel season approaching.
FAA Eases Flight Restrictions After Shutdown
The FAA has reduced flight cuts at major U.S. airports from 6% to 3%, signaling improvements in air traffic control staffing following the recent government shutdown.
In a recent update, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a rollback of some flight restrictions that were in place during a 43-day government shutdown. Initially set at a mandatory 6% cut, the agency is now lowering it to 3%. This change comes as air traffic controllers return to work, although ongoing staffing concerns persist, especially with reports of controller absences and safety worries. The FAA indicates it will take time for the air traffic system to return to normal, especially with busy travel seasons coming up.
