FAA Probes Airlines for Non-Compliance with Flight Reduction Orders

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is initiating formal investigations into airlines that failed to comply with required flight reductions at 40 major U.S. airports amid last month's government shutdown.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford announced on Monday that investigation letters would be dispatched to carriers that fell short of meeting the mandated cuts, aimed at alleviating air traffic congestion due to staffing shortages. "We will be sending out letters of investigation to any of the airlines who we don't feel lived up to the requirement to reduce capacity," he stated during a press briefing at Newark Airport.

The directives for flight reductions were originally put in place to address disruptions caused by a lack of air traffic controllers, many of whom ceased work without pay during the federal shutdown. FAA officials had targeted a 10% reduction in domestic flights at these 40 busy airports, which was subsequently adjusted to 6%, and then 3%, before the requirement was lifted on November 16 as operations stabilized.

Aviation analytics from Cirium, however, disclosed that airlines consistently disregarded these restrictions, ultimately resulting in a cancellation rate of just 0.25% at the impacted airports—significantly below the required minimum of 3%. According to FAA regulations, airlines operating flights exceeding the prescribed limit may incur fines as high as $75,000 for each violation.

The staffing shortage remains critical: the FAA is currently short of approximately 3,500 air traffic controllers. Even prior to the shutdown, controllers often worked six-day weeks and overtime was mandatory. The recent shutdown further exacerbated the situation, leading to the cancellation and delay of tens of thousands of flights in early October.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stressed the importance of accountability for those who did not comply. “If those airlines did not comply ... there should be accountability,” he noted, reiterating the federal government’s expectation for adherence to safety protocols.

With the FAA's investigation underway, major airlines now find themselves under increased scrutiny as regulatory bodies aim to ensure adherence to future compliance and uphold safe, orderly air travel.