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FAA Launches Probe Into Airlines Over Compliance With Shutdown Flight-Reduction Orders

02:57 PM, 12/06/2025
FAA Launches Probe Into Airlines Over Compliance With Shutdown Flight-Reduction Orders

FAA Opens Probe: The FAA has launched an investigation into whether U.S. airlines complied with November directives that required 3%–6% flight reductions at 40 major airports during the 43-day government shutdown. Carriers have 30 days to prove compliance or face potential fines of $75,000 per over-limit flight. Data from Cirium showed only about a 2% reduction on Nov. 14 when a 6% cut was mandated, and Delta reported roughly $200 million in losses tied to the order.

FAA Opens Investigation Into Airline Compliance During 43-Day Shutdown

The Federal Aviation Administration this week told U.S. carriers it will open an investigation into whether they followed emergency directives issued in November during the record-long government shutdown that required airlines to reduce scheduled flights.

Background: The flight-reduction orders were issued after the shutdown had been underway for roughly a month, when many airports were experiencing shortages of air traffic control personnel. The directives applied to 40 major U.S. airports and instructed each airline to cut flights by between 3% and 6% while the restrictions were in effect.

FAA Warning and Timeline: In a letter sent Monday, the FAA warned carriers they could face penalties of up to $75,000 for every flight that exceeded the allotted caps and gave airlines 30 days to document compliance. The FAA rescinded the cut requirements on Nov. 16, four days after the shutdown ended on Nov. 12.

Compliance Data and Impact: Flight analytics firm Cirium reported that although a 6% reduction was mandated for Nov. 14, only about 2% of flights were actually removed from schedules that day. The reductions carried a heavy financial toll for carriers: Delta said it lost about $200 million between Nov. 7 and Nov. 16 while the order was active. During the nine-day period that the emergency order applied, more than 10,000 U.S. flights were canceled.

Safety Concerns: Air traffic controllers, like most federal employees, were unpaid during the 43-day shutdown and many missed shifts, a situation that raised safety concerns for the FAA and the traveling public.

More reporting: The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Key Dates:

  • Shutdown Began: (Prior month) — orders issued in November after ~one month.
  • Required Reductions In Effect: Nov. 7–Nov. 16 (emergency period)
  • Shutdown Ended: Nov. 12
  • FAA Rescinded Orders: Nov. 16

If airlines cannot adequately document compliance within the 30-day window, the FAA may pursue fines or additional enforcement actions.

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