Overview
- Letters sent Monday give carriers 30 days to document adherence to the November emergency limits at 40 major airports, with potential penalties of $75,000 for each excess flight.
- The FAA’s caps initially required 3%–6% reductions and contemplated cuts up to 10%, took effect November 7, and were fully lifted November 16 after the shutdown ended November 12.
- Cirium data show only about 2% of U.S. departures were canceled on November 14 when a 6% cut was in place, a discrepancy now under regulatory scrutiny.
- More than 10,000 flights were canceled between November 7 and 16, disrupting operations at large hubs including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta.
- Airlines reported financial hits, with Delta estimating a $200 million impact and Southwest trimming its full-year outlook, as officials have not released detailed safety data cited to justify the caps.