FAA to Probe Airlines Over Shutdown Flight Limits
Agency Says Some Carriers May Have Ignored Required Cutbacks
Key Takeaways:
- The FAA said it will investigate airlines suspected of failing to follow mandatory flight reductions imposed during the recent U.S. government shutdown.
- The agency had ordered cuts of up to 6% across 40 major airports, with possible penalties of up to $75,000 per excess flight.
- FAA officials said only noncompliant carriers will receive investigation letters, though no timeline has been set for when the notices will be issued.
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The U.S. government will investigate any airlines that it suspects didn’t comply with flight reductions mandated during the government shutdown, transportation officials said Nov. 24.
The Federal Aviation Administration plans to send out letters of investigation to formally notify some carriers that they’re being probed for a possible violation, the agency’s leader Bryan Bedford told reporters at Newark Liberty International Airport.
“We’re going to look at everybody to make sure they complied,” Bedford told Bloomberg after the news conference.
RELATED:Airlines Confident in Quick Recovery Once FAA Lifts Order
Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy held the briefing to discuss a U.S. aviation system bracing for what Duffy expects will be the busiest Thanksgiving holiday travel period on record.
Toward the end of the government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, the FAA mandated that airlinescut flightsacross 40 major airports. Under the agency’s original emergency order, carriers that didn’t comply could face penalties of up to $75,000 for every flight operated above the mandated limits.
The intent was for the reduction level to get as high as 10% but officials froze it at 6%. They removed the cap altogether in the days after a deal was reached to end the funding lapse.
Only airlines that didn’t comply will receive a letter of investigation, Bedford said. He said he didn’t yet have a timeline of when those letters would be sent out.
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