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FAA Tightens Flight Caps to 6% as Shutdown Drags On

Flight limits will remain until controller staffing and safety metrics recover.

Overview

  • The FAA’s phased reductions at 40 major airports rose from 4% to 6% Tuesday, with targets set to reach 8% Thursday and 10% Friday.
  • FlightAware reported 2,747 cancellations and 8,337 delays in the U.S. on Monday after thousands more over the weekend, with additional Tuesday cancellations already logged.
  • The FAA broadened restrictions by suspending many business and general aviation flights at a dozen major airports to ease traffic demand.
  • Airlines are trimming schedules in advance under the federal order’s seven‑day cancellation rule; American Airlines cut roughly 400 flights early this week.
  • Controllers are missing a second paycheck, absenteeism and retirements have accelerated, and President Trump publicly pressed them to return, threatening to dock pay and suggesting $10,000 bonuses for those who stayed on the job.