The FAA is investigating U.S. carriers.
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating airlines for their compliance with the emergency flight reduction order issued during the government shutdown. During the month-long shutdown, the FAA directed airlines to reduce operations for safety reasons. Now the agency is monitoring whether airlines acted on the order, and those that failed could face steep fines.
In a statement, the FAA said it has given airlines 30 days to provide evidence that they complied with the reduction order. Airlines that failed may face fines of up to $75,000 per flight. The FAA sent letters to “scheduled carriers that have more than 10 daily operations at any of the high-impact airports.” It also warned in the letter, “Any discussion or written statements furnished by you will be given consideration in our investigation. If we do not hear from you within the specified time, our report will be processed without the benefit of your statement.”
The list of airlines that received notices has not been released.
The federal government shutdown began Oct. 1 and lasted 43 days, making it the longest shutdown in history. More than 1.4 million federal employees worked for weeks without pay, including air traffic controllers. Staff shortages and an increase in sick days among unpaid controllers disrupted flights across the United States.
To keep the skies safer during this period, the FAA implemented a flight reduction plan on Nov. 7 that cut flights by up to 6% at the 40 busiest airports in the country. The contingency plan included measures supporting reductions of up to 10%, but the shutdown ended before tighter restrictions were enforced. It took several days for the restrictions to fully lift after the shutdown ended, and flight operations normalized just in time for the busy Thanksgiving weekend.
Continue Reading Article After Our Video
Recommended Fodor’s Video
More than 10,000 flights were canceled during the week the order was in place, and millions of travelers were affected by disruptions throughout the month-long ordeal. Delta recently reported that the shutdown cost the carrier $200 million as bookings slowed and refunds increased.
Related: Here’s the Preliminary List of Airports Impacted by Flight Reductions
During the shutdown, about 13,000 air traffic controllers worked without pay. While the United States already faced a controller shortage, the shutdown added pressure. Many tried to pick up other work to make ends meet, called in sick, and the industry felt the strain.
President Donald Trump ordered controllers to return to work and promised bonuses to those who didn’t miss any shifts. The administration awarded $10,000 bonuses to those who didn’t skip a shift during the shutdown, and only 4%—or 776—air traffic controllers and technicians qualified.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois sent a letter to the Department of Transportation requesting bonuses for all air traffic controllers, even those who missed shifts. She explained that mistakes can be deadly. “These dedicated professionals must be at their best when on the job, but your policy encourages Air Traffic Controllers and Technicians to show up regardless of their health. That is incredibly dangerous. Sick leave exists for a reason. Claiming safety is a top priority is mere lip service if Air Traffic Controllers and Technicians fear using authorized leave, even when doing so best serves the safety of the (national airspace system) and health of their fellow FAA employees.”
She also said the bonus policy is unfair and divisive. “At a time when we should be doing everything we can to retain and recruit air traffic controllers, the Trump Administration choosing to punish and alienate 96% of the FAA’s controller and technician workforce is completely counterproductive,” she told CBS.
