Trump administration freezes flight cuts at 6% instead of 8% — will flight operations return to normal soon?

The US Transportation Department and Federal Aviation Administration announced on Wednesday evening (Thursday morning IST) that flight cuts would remain at 6% instead of being raised to 8%, as was originally planned.

US airlines had earlier scrambled to cut 4% of flights at 40 major airports after the government imposed an unprecedented cut to air travel, citing air traffic control safety concerns because of a record-setting federal government shutdown.

On 6 November, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced a temporary plan to cut 10% of flights at 40 high-traffic airports across the country, potentially impacting thousands of flights.

“Since the beginning of the shutdown, controllers have been working without pay, and staffing triggers at air traffic facilities across the country have been increasing. This has resulted in increased reports of strain on the system from both pilots and air traffic controllers. This past weekend, there were 2,740 delays at various airports,” read an official statement released on November 6.

Flight reduction plan

As per the statement, a 4% reduction in operations was scheduled to take effect from Friday, 7 November, ramping up to 6% by 11 November, 8% by 13 November, and 10% by 14 November.

However, the department decided to maintain the reductions at 6% and not increase them to 8% on 13 November.

The 40 affected high-impact airports include:

ANC – Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

ATL – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

BOS – Boston Logan International Airport

BWI – Baltimore/Washington International Airport

CLT – Charlotte Douglas International Airport

CVG – Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport

DAL – Dallas Love Field

DCA – Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

DEN – Denver International Airport

DFW – Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

DTW – Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport

EWR – Newark Liberty International Airport

FLL – Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport

HNL – Honolulu International Airport

HOU – William P. Hobby Airport

IAD – Washington Dulles International Airport

IAH – George Bush Houston Intercontinental Airport

IND – Indianapolis International Airport

JFK – New York John F. Kennedy International Airport

LAS – Las Vegas McCarran International Airport

LAX – Los Angeles International Airport

LGA – New York LaGuardia Airport

MCO – Orlando International Airport

MDW – Chicago Midway International Airport

MEM – Memphis International Airport

MIA – Miami International Airport

MSP – Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport

OAK – Oakland International Airport

ONT – Ontario International Airport

ORD – Chicago O’Hare International Airport

PDX – Portland International Airport

PHL – Philadelphia International Airport

PHX – Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

SAN – San Diego International Airport

SDF – Louisville International Airport

SEA – Seattle–Tacoma International Airport

SFO – San Francisco International Airport

SLC – Salt Lake City International Airport

TEB – Teterboro Airport

TPA – Tampa International Airport

US flight operations to return to normal soon?

While the US government shutdown may soon be in the rearview mirror, it could leave air travel in a chokehold for months, and possibly years to come, CNN reported.

The report cited pilot and aviation consultant Kit Darby as saying that he thinks if controllers return to the job, it might take airlines a “week or two” to snap back.

“If we can’t get it done this week (to end the shutdown), we’re starting to get to the point where it won’t be fully recovered by Thanksgiving,” Darby was quoted by CNN as saying. “I think if they do it this week, we can be very close to fully recovered by Thanksgiving," he added.

The report stated that even when the government officially reopens, the number of controllers showing up to work might not immediately bounce back.

Essential FAA employees who worked during the shutdown will not immediately receive back pay, and some may choose not to return to work right away.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association reportedly said some of its members have taken on second jobs, and those side hustles may continue until they get their missed paychecks.

US warns it could force 20% flight cuts if shutdown continues

Earlier on 7 November, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned he could force airlines to cut up to 20% of flights if the government shutdown did not end.

During the record-breaking over 40-day government shutdown, 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 security screeners were forced to work without pay, leading to increased absenteeism.

Many air traffic controllers were notified that they would receive no pay for a second pay period next week, Reuters reported.

Sean Duffy said it was possible he could require 20% cuts in air traffic if things get worse and more controllers do not show up for work. "I assess the data," Duffy said. "We're going to make decisions based on what we see in the airspace," he added.