FAA Says It Plans To Restore Some Flights After Shutdown Strain
Key Points
- 1FAA to reduce flight restrictions at 40 major US airports from 6% to 3%.
- 2Restrictions were implemented due to staffing issues during the 43-day government shutdown.
- 3Transportation Secretary cited safety concerns as the reason for maintaining restrictions.
- 4Controller absences increased during the shutdown due to financial strain.
- 5Airlines warned of potential residual effects from the flight restrictions.
The US FAA is rolling back some restrictions on commercial flights implemented at 40 major US airports during the recent government shutdown. The agency is downgrading the mandatory 6% flight cuts to 3%, despite the shutdown ending on November 12. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that restrictions would remain until air traffic control staffing stabilizes and safety metrics improve. The original order, in effect since November 7, has impacted thousands of flights.
The FAA implemented the flight cuts due to concerns about the aviation system's stability during the shutdown, as controller absences increased. Unpaid controllers cited financial strain and the need to take on side jobs. The flight cuts started at 4% and later increased to 6%. Duffy cited reports of planes getting too close in the air, more runway incursions, and pilot concerns about controller responses as justification for the measures.
The flight restrictions disrupted airline operations, causing rerouting of planes. Airlines for America warned of potential residual effects. The nationwide shortage of controllers isn’t new, but the shutdown exacerbated the problem. Duffy noted that 15-20 controllers were retiring daily, and some younger controllers were leaving the profession.
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