WASHINGTON, DC — Air travellers in the U.S. could face more frustration as busy U.S. airports need to meet a higher FAA target for reducing flights today, after already cancelling thousands to scale back demands on the nation’s aviation system during the government shutdown.
The FAA ordered domestic airlines last week to drop 4% of their flights at 40 major airports, saying absences and signs of stress among traffic controllers made it imperative to act in the name of public safety.
After already cancelling more than 7,900 since Friday, the goal for cutting flights is set to rise to 6% today and again to 10% on Friday.
More than 1,100 flights were cancelled today, according to FlightAware. It was unclear exactly how many additional flights would need to be cancelled for the day.
The average cancellation rate over the last few days already exceeded the FAA’s requirement, according to aviation analytics company Cirium. The FAA also expanded its flight restrictions Monday, barring business jets and many private flights from using a dozen airports already under commercial flight limits.
However, controller shortages continued to lead to flight delays, including one of about five hours for arriving flights Monday evening at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, where wintry weather added to staffing-related disruptions earlier in the day.
The FAA warned that staffing at over a dozen towers and control centres could delay planes departing for Phoenix, San Diego, the New York area and Houston, among other cities.
Freezing weather in parts of the country today could cause further delays and cancellations.
The Senate passed legislation Monday to reopen the government, but the bill still needs to clear the House and final passage could be days away.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy made clear last week that flight cuts will remain until the FAA sees staffing levels stabilize at its air traffic control facilities.
Many planes also aren’t where they’re supposed to be, which could slow the airlines’ return to normal operations even after the FAA lifts the order, said Mike Taylor, who leads research on airports and airlines at J.D. Power.
Today marks the second missed payday for controllers. Some have started calling out of work, citing stress and the need to take on second jobs.
It’s unclear how quickly controllers might be paid once the shutdown ends — it took more than two months to receive full back pay after the 35-day shutdown that ended in 2019, said Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.