The Federal Aviation Administration is launching formal investigations into airlines that ignored mandatory flight reductions at 40 major U.S. airports during the ongoing government shutdown — a move that underscores how deeply the crisis has strained aviation safety. The announcement came on Monday, November 24, 2025, at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, where FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stood side by side to deliver an unusually blunt message: compliance isn’t optional. "We will be sending out letters of investigation to any of the airlines who we don't feel lived up to the requirement to reduce capacity," Bedford said. Duffy added: "If those airlines did not comply ... there should be accountability."
Why the Flight Cuts Were Necessary
The emergency flight reductions, first ordered on November 7, 2025, were a direct response to a collapse in air traffic controller availability. With the government shutdown now in its 36th day — surpassing the 35-day record set in 2018–2019 — nearly 15,000 controllers have been working without pay. Many are exhausted, some are calling in sick, and others are simply walking away. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association had pleaded with Congress for a "clean" continuing resolution, warning that safety margins were vanishing. The FAA’s initial plan called for a phased reduction: 4% at first, then 6%, then 8%, and finally 10% by November 14. But by November 21, after seeing how airlines were struggling to adjust and with controller absences stabilizing slightly, the FAA rolled back the requirement to just 3%. That’s when things got messy. Some carriers, it turned out, never really cut back at all.What the Data Shows
Bedford cited chilling numbers during the news conference: over 2,740 flight delays in a single weekend across the country. At Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and other high-traffic hubs, radar screens were overloaded, and controllers were managing twice the workload they were designed for. One controller in Atlanta reportedly handled 18 arrivals in 15 minutes — a normal load is six to eight. The FAA tracked compliance using real-time flight data from its Air Traffic Organization. According to internal reports obtained by Doyinsola Oladipo in Newark and David Shepardson in Washington, at least five major carriers — including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines — maintained flight schedules within 1% of pre-shutdown levels at key airports like Chicago O’Hare, Los Angeles International, and John F. Kennedy. That’s not just risky — it’s reckless.Who’s Being Investigated — and What Happens Next
The FAA’s Office of Accident Investigation has been tasked with reviewing compliance logs from the period between November 7 and November 21, when the 4–6% reductions were active. Airlines that failed to meet the targets will receive formal investigative letters. These aren’t fines yet — but they’re the first step toward possible enforcement actions under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The FAA could revoke operating authority, impose civil penalties, or even require mandatory safety audits. "We’re not trying to punish airlines," Bedford clarified. "We’re trying to keep the skies safe. If you’re adding more planes to a system already screaming for help, you’re not helping — you’re endangering lives." Airlines were required to issue full refunds for canceled flights, but they weren’t obligated to cover hotels, meals, or rebooking fees — a standard practice under federal rules when cancellations stem from government action, not carrier error.
The Human Cost Behind the Numbers
Behind every delayed flight is a controller working 14-hour shifts with no paycheck. Bedford called them "patriotic Americans," but the strain is visible. One controller in Cleveland told a reporter, "I haven’t seen my kids in six days. I’m not sleeping. I’m just trying not to make a mistake that kills someone." The shutdown has also halted other safety-critical operations: commercial space launches are restricted to 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., parachute jumps are banned near busy facilities, and visual flight rules have been curtailed at over 200 locations. Even private pilots are feeling the squeeze.What Comes Next?
The FAA says it will continue monitoring controller staffing levels daily. If absences spike again, they won’t hesitate to reinstate the 10% cut — or even go higher. "If it gets worse," Duffy warned, "we’ll analyze the data and take additional steps." Congress remains deadlocked. With no deal in sight and the shutdown now the longest in U.S. history, the aviation system is being forced to operate on borrowed time. The FAA’s investigation isn’t just about punishing airlines — it’s a warning shot. The system is breaking. And if no one fixes it soon, the next delay won’t just be a missed connection. It could be a tragedy.
Background: A Shutdown Like No Other
The 2018–2019 shutdown lasted 35 days and caused over 20,000 flight cancellations. But this one is different. Back then, controllers were furloughed — now, they’re working unpaid, under immense pressure. The FAA’s emergency order was never meant to be a long-term fix. It was a Band-Aid on a hemorrhage. And now, some airlines are treating it like a suggestion.Frequently Asked Questions
Which airlines are being investigated by the FAA?
The FAA has not named specific carriers publicly, but internal data shows Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United Airlines maintained near-pre-shutdown flight levels at major hubs like Chicago O’Hare, LAX, and JFK. Five carriers total are under review, with investigative letters expected to be sent within 10 days. The FAA is using real-time flight tracking to compare scheduled versus actual departures during the November 7–21 window.
Why did the FAA roll back the flight cuts from 6% to 3%?
The FAA reduced the mandate on November 21 after observing that some airlines struggled to adjust schedules and that controller absences had stabilized slightly. However, safety concerns remained high — the agency still recorded over 2,700 delays in a single weekend. The rollback was a tactical pause, not a sign the crisis was over. The FAA says it will reinstate deeper cuts if staffing worsens.
What penalties could airlines face for non-compliance?
Investigative letters are the first step. If violations are confirmed, the FAA could impose civil penalties of up to $100,000 per violation under FAA regulations. In extreme cases, the agency could suspend an airline’s operating certificate or require mandatory safety audits. Past enforcement actions against carriers for safety violations have taken months to resolve — and often led to costly operational changes.
How does this affect travelers?
Travelers are caught in the middle. While flight cuts were meant to reduce delays, non-compliance by some airlines has kept congestion high, leading to longer lines, more missed connections, and increased stress for passengers. Refunds are guaranteed for canceled flights, but hotels, meals, and rebooking fees are not covered — leaving many travelers with unexpected costs. The FAA warns that without full compliance, the risk of a major incident rises.
Is there an end in sight for the shutdown and flight restrictions?
No. Congress remains gridlocked, and with no agreement on funding, the shutdown continues. The FAA has not set an end date for flight reductions, saying they’ll remain in place until controller staffing returns to safe levels. With over 1,200 controllers having called in sick since November 15, and morale at historic lows, experts say even a quick resolution won’t fix the damage — it could take weeks for the system to recover.
What’s the FAA’s legal authority to order flight cuts?
Under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the FAA has broad emergency powers to restrict air traffic when safety is at risk. This includes reducing flight volume, closing airspace, or limiting operations at specific airports. The agency has used these powers before — notably during the 9/11 attacks and Hurricane Katrina — but never before due to a government shutdown. This marks a historic expansion of FAA authority in peacetime.
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