Now that the U.S. government shutdown has come to an end, it looks like the U.S. Department of Transportation is doing damage control. The Transportation Department on Wednesday froze flight reductions at 6 percent, keeping in place a level that went into effect earlier this week, after cuts to flight schedules during the government shutdown led to thousands of delays and cancellations.
In a joint statement Wednesday, issued before President Donald Trump signed a funding bill to reopen the government, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford said the hold will remain in place as the FAA “continues to assess whether the system can gradually return to normal operations.”
Airlines have welcomed the decision but caution that some delays and disruptions may persist as operations return to normal. The freeze is intended as a temporary measure while the FAA continues to monitor staffing levels and system performance. By limiting reductions to 6%, the department aims to balance passenger needs, airline logistics, and safety requirements, ensuring a smoother recovery of domestic air travel. Officials indicated that adjustments will continue if staffing trends improve or decline.
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“If the FAA safety team determines the trend lines are moving in the right direction, we’ll put forward a path to resume normal operations,” Duffy said.
The 6 percent reduction in flights at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports went into effect Tuesday, under an emergency order issued last week by the Transportation Department.
Staffing shortages among air traffic controllers had been the primary driver of widespread delays and cancellations, but improved attendance and system stabilization have allowed the FAA to hold flight reductions at a manageable level.
The cuts, aimed at easing the strain on the aviation system, began with a 4 percent reduction on Nov. 7 and were previously scheduled to grow to 8 percent on Thursday and 10 percent on Friday.
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The freeze at 6 percent also highlights the delicate balance between operational efficiency and safety oversight in the U.S. aviation system. By holding reductions at this level, the FAA can ensure that flights are adequately staffed with trained controllers, minimizing the risk of accidents or procedural errors. At the same time, airlines are able to maintain a more predictable schedule for passengers, helping to restore confidence in air travel after the disruptions caused by the shutdown. The phased reduction plan—beginning at 4 percent, rising to 6 percent, and initially scheduled to go higher—provided flexibility for the FAA to respond dynamically to staffing trends while limiting the overall impact on travelers.
Senate Republican leaders announced Wednesday they will hold a hearing to examine the impact of the shutdown on aviation safety, travel and the economy.
“As we work to reopen the government, it’s critical that we address the damage done and look at the long-term effects of the shutdown,” Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), chair of the aviation, space and innovation subcommittee, said in a statement announcing the Nov. 19 hearing. “I look forward to discussing with industry how Congress can work to alleviate the strain on air traffic controllers and TSA agents, as well as ensure safety for passengers and sustainable operations for our airlines, general and business aviation stakeholders.”
These discussions underscore the broader need for sustainable staffing policies and contingency planning in critical infrastructure sectors. Together, the freeze and ongoing oversight efforts represent a coordinated approach to both immediate recovery and long-term resilience in the U.S. aviation system.