FAA investigates US airlines for reducing flights during shutdown

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into whether U.S. airlines adhered to an emergency order that mandated flight reductions at 40 major airports during the recent government shutdown. The investigation, confirmed by the FAA on Friday, follows the notification sent to airlines this week.

In letters dispatched on Monday, the FAA informed airlines that they could face fines of up to $75,000 for each flight that exceeded the required reductions, which varied between 3%, 4%, and 6%. Airlines are given a 30-day window to submit evidence proving compliance with the order.

The shutdown, which lasted for 43 days starting from October 1, caused significant delays as air traffic controllers, who were not being paid, missed work due to stress and the need to find additional sources of income. The FAA stated that imposing flight cuts across all commercial airlines was an unprecedented yet crucial step to maintain safety in air travel until staffing levels at control towers and other facilities were stabilized.

After the shutdown concluded on November 12, many airlines anticipated that the FAA would ease or remove the flight reduction requirements. However, the mandate remained in effect, with a 6% cut still in place as of November 14. On that day, only 2% of scheduled U.S. departures were canceled, according to Cirium, a firm specializing in aviation analytics. Between November 7, when the restrictions began, and November 16, when the FAA lifted the limitations, over 10,000 flights were canceled.

Delta Air Lines reported a $200 million loss on Wednesday, marking the first major disclosure of the financial toll the shutdown took on airlines. While Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the FAA's leadership have not provided specific safety data that prompted the cuts, Duffy referred to incidents during the shutdown, including aircraft coming dangerously close to one another in the air, runway incursions, and concerns raised by pilots regarding the responses of air traffic controllers.

Key airports in cities such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta were severely affected by the flight cancellations. Initially, the FAA had set a 10% reduction target for air traffic during the shutdown.