The Federal Aviation Administration has put a hold on the proposed flight cuts of 6 percent, having called a halt to any further flight cuts that were expected to escalate throughout the week. This news emerges against a backdrop of reduced air traffic control resources that continue to affect the aviation network even after the end of the government shutdown. Flights exceeding 1,000 were canceled Thursday morning.
Controller staff crisis sparks emergency aviation safety actions
The FAA declared an emergency and ordered a moratorium on Wednesday evening on cutting flight operations at the level of 6 percent, having previously anticipated increases to 8 percent on Thursday and then further reduced operations to 10 percent on Friday. Airlines had also been required to cut flight operations at 40 “high-impact” airports under the earlier directive.
Sean Duffy, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, predicted that even after the government shutdown ends, the staff shortages are probably going to continue. This is because the agency is already “2,000 controllers short and trying to make up that difference, “he added during his Tuesday press conference. The number of retirements of the air traffic controllers during the government shutdown has hit record levels. The rate jumped to 20 per day from four.
The Chicago O’Hare International Airport topped the list with 52 flight cancellations, followed by the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and the Denver International Airport that each canceled 43 and 37 flights, respectively.
Airlines advise passengers of disruptions throughout the holiday period
It will take a week for the airline industry to get back to normal operations after the end of the government shutdown, according to the president of Airlines for America, Chris Sununu. “The truth is that the cell phone ban remains, but the airlines are doing a good job of preparing passengers for the extra time it might take for planes to take off from the gate.” Yet, Chris Sununu sounded optimistic concerning holiday travel of the kind that will take place during Thanksgiving.
American Airlines issued a press release expressing its gratefulness for the federal aviation employees who continued to work without pay and encouraged the federal government leaders to immediately reopen the government. The company explained that fewer flight delays and cancellations were observed during the period of progress in the government shutdown talks.
Recovery timeline depends on controller workforce stabilization efforts
Delta CEO Ed Bastian spoke of his belief that the overall air traffic system “should return to normal by the weekend as the controllers get back to work and receive back pay.” More than 9,000 flight cancellations have been registered since the FAA reduced the number of planes that could be operating after the agency’s directive, and the cancellations of the airlines exceed the numbers ordered by the FAA. The Department of Transportation noted that the safety of passengers is the preeminent concern during the attempt to get back to full capacity.
Flight tracking information shows extensive influence within transport sector
Data from FlightAware indicates that there are currently 1,017 flight cancellations and 2,478 flight delays, and a total of 415 flights are already canceled for Friday. The “6 percent flight reductions will continue through the end of the operational day and thereafter remain in effect until the FAA determines that the airlines and systems can gradually return to normal operations.”
The FAA’s choice to call a halt to the scheduled reduction of flights is a measured response to the issue of flight safety during the ongoing shortage of flight controllers. Though the government shutdown is over, the aviation community finds itself with a difficult time of recovery because of the current level of staff and the return to normal operations. Passengers are encouraged to check flight status and be ready for any possible flight delays over the next days.