The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has initiated a formal investigation into major US airlines to determine if they adhered to an unprecedented emergency order requiring flight reductions during the recent, record-breaking government shutdown.
Unprecedented Order During Crisis
In a statement released on Friday, the FAA confirmed that airlines were notified this week about the probe. The investigation centres on compliance with an order mandating cuts to domestic flights at 40 major US airports. This drastic measure was implemented as the 43-day government shutdown, which began on 1st October, led to severe air traffic control staffing shortages.
The FAA stated that requiring all commercial carriers to slash flights was an unprecedented but necessary step to maintain safe air travel. The shutdown caused long delays as unpaid air traffic controllers missed work, citing stress and financial hardship from needing to take on secondary employment.
Potential Fines and Airline Response
According to the agency, letters sent to airlines on Monday warned of potential fines of up to $75,000 for each flight that exceeded the mandated reductions. The required cuts fluctuated between 3%, 4%, and 6% at different points. Airlines now have 30 days to submit documentation proving they complied with the directive.
Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium indicates that after the shutdown ended on 12th November, airlines appeared to anticipate a relaxation of the rules. On 14th November, with the order still demanding a 6% reduction, only 2% of scheduled US departures were cancelled that day.
Financial Toll and Lingering Questions
The financial impact on the industry is becoming clear. Delta Air Lines disclosed on Wednesday that it lost $200 million due to the shutdown, marking the first such financial revelation from a major carrier. In total, more than 10,000 flights were cancelled between 7th November, when the order took effect, and 16th November, when the FAA finally lifted all restrictions.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has pointed to safety reports during the shutdown—including incidents of planes getting too close in the air, increased runway incursions, and pilot concerns over controller responses—as the impetus for the cuts. However, neither he nor the FAA head have publicly released the specific safety data that prompted the action. The cancellations significantly impacted large hubs including those in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. The FAA had initially targeted a 10% reduction before settling on the lower, variable rates.
