Overview
- The FAA notified U.S. carriers this week that they have 30 days to submit documentation proving compliance with the emergency flight reductions.
- Letters sent Monday warn of fines up to $75,000 for each flight operated above the mandated limits.
- The order, in effect from November 7 to 16, required phased cuts of roughly 3% to 6% after a 43-day government shutdown left many controllers unpaid and absent.
- More than 10,000 flights were canceled during that period, though Cirium reported only about 2% of departures were canceled on November 14 despite a 6% reduction requirement.
- The FAA lifted the restrictions on November 16, and airlines are now tallying losses, with Delta estimating a $200 million hit and Southwest trimming its 2025 earnings outlook.