Air Traffic Reductions Stand at 6% as Government Reopens
- Rahaman Hadisur
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff
H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Business
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In a measured step as the government resumed operations, the Department of Transportation announced that air travel reductions will remain capped at 6%, rather than the previously planned 10% increase later in the week. The move comes amid improved staffing levels and a notable drop in air traffic controller callouts, suggesting the system can gradually return to normal operations without further crippling restrictions.
The 6% cut applies to flights at 40 high-traffic airports, including major hubs in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Denver, Phoenix, Dallas, and Los Angeles. DOT officials attributed the stability to favorable staffing conditions, reporting only 11 triggers on Tuesday and four on Wednesday, a sharp decline from a Saturday peak of 81. They said the current staffing picture reduces the need for further reductions while ensuring the traveling public remains protected.
The timing follows President Donald Trump’s signature on a bill to reopen the government after a 43-day shutdown, the longest in U.S. history. Airlines and industry groups welcomed the reopening, signaling a move toward restoring normal operations ahead of the Thanksgiving travel period. Airlines for America said the pause in the shutdown would help restore operations and payrolls for safety and security personnel who had been unpaid, while American Airlines voiced optimism about returning to a viable operating cadence.
Travelers encountered significant disruptions as flight schedules adjusted in anticipation of potential further reductions. As of Wednesday evening, FlightAware reported about 900 U.S. cancellations and more than 2,000 delays, though weather conditions and other factors also affected performance.
Industry executives stressed the importance of careful coordination with the FAA to ensure safety while rebuilding capacity. David Seymour, COO of American Airlines, noted that reviving normal operations will require close collaboration with regulators and continued monitoring of staffing and traffic trends, particularly with Thanksgiving travel approaching. Forecasters warned that winter weather could complicate the recovery, underscoring the need for steady, transparent communication with the traveling public.
