Airlines face steep fines as FAA investigates missed flight reductions
The Federal Aviation Administration warned airlines this week that it was investigating their compliance with an emergency flight reduction order issued during the government shutdown. It was stated that companies will face the risk of high financial penalties if they do not shorten their programs as requested.
“The FAA has warned some airlines that it is investigating whether they are complying with the Emergency Order mandating reduced flights at 40 high-impact airports to ensure safety during the government shutdown,” the agency said in a statement. he said. “Airlines are scheduled carriers that operate more than 10 daily operations at any of the high-impact airports. The November 12 Order states that airlines may face fines of up to $75,000 per flight exceeding the limits.”
Under the emergency order, airlines operating at 40 major U.S. airports were required to cut first 4%, then 6%, of their scheduled flights. The order established a framework for cuts of up to 10%, but the government shutdown ended without stricter thresholds being implemented.
You don’t need to make a face Full body screening at TSA if you don’t want it
According to the FAA, the reductions were necessary to keep passengers safe. During the shutdown, air traffic controllers were required to work without pay, and as their unpaid time accumulated, many had to take leave to earn other income.
FAA’s letter to airlines He said compliance is being monitored and companies are being given 30 days to provide evidence that they are complying with the emergency order. The agency did not specify which airlines were under investigation.
The Trump Administration gave $10,000 bonuses to air traffic controllers who didn’t miss a single shift during the shutdown. Only 4% of controllers qualified, according to Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill.
Duckworth sent a message letter He called on the Ministry of Transport to give bonuses to all air traffic controllers working without pay during the closure, even if they miss a shift.
“There’s a good reason why jobs at the Air Traffic Organization are extremely stressful: a single mistake can be fatal,” Duckworth’s letter said. “These dedicated professionals must be at their best while on the job, but your policy encourages Air Traffic Controllers and Technicians to come in regardless of their health. This is incredibly dangerous. Sick leave exists for a reason. If Air Traffic Controllers and Technicians are afraid to take sabbatical leave, claiming that safety is a top priority is just lip service, doing so best serves the safety (of the national airspace system) and the health of other FAA employees.”
Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and author of the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He lives in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com.
This article first appeared on USA TODAY: FAA investigating whether airlines properly cut flights during shutdown
