"Air travelers could face more frustration as busy U.S. airports need to meet a higher Federal Aviation Administration target for reducing flights Tuesday after already canceling thousands to scale back demands on the nation's aviation system during the government shutdown. The FAA ordered domestic airlines last week to drop 4% of their flights at 40 major U.S. airports, saying absences and signs of stress among traffic controllers made it imperative to act in the name of public safety."
"However, controller shortages continued to lead to flight delays, including one of about five hours for arriving flights Monday evening at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, where wintry weather added to staffing-related disruptions earlier in the day. The FAA warned that staffing at over a dozen towers and control centers could delay planes departing for Phoenix, San Diego, the New York area and Houston, among other cities."
Escalating FAA flight reductions aim to address absences and stress among air traffic controllers at busy U.S. airports. Airlines were initially told to cut 4% of flights at 40 major airports, with targets set to rise to 6% and 10%, and thousands of flights already canceled. Restrictions expanded to bar many business and private jets at affected airports. Controller shortages have produced significant delays, including a roughly five-hour arrival delay at Chicago O'Hare, and staffing problems threaten departures to major cities. Freezing weather could worsen disruptions. Flight cuts will remain until staffing levels stabilize.
Read at Fortune
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