FAA announces flight reductions at U.S. airports will stay at 6%

"The flight cuts were implemented last week as more air traffic controllers were calling out of work, citing stress and the need to take on second jobs - leaving more control towers and facilities short-staffed. Air traffic controllers missed two paychecks during the impasse. The Department of Transportation said the flight reduction decision was made on recommendations from the Federal Aviation Administration's safety team, after a "rapid decline" in controller callouts. The 6% limit will stay in place while officials assess whether the air traffic system can safely return to normal operations, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said, although he did not provide a timeline Wednesday."

""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 in a statement. Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said Wednesday that safety remains their top priority and that all decisions will be guided by data. Delta struck an optimistic note about how much longer flight reductions would continue, saying in a statement the airline looked forward to bringing its "operation back to full capacity over the next few days." Since the restrictions took effect last Friday, more than 10,100 flights have been canceled, according to the flight tracking site FlightAware."

Flight reductions at 40 major U.S. airports will remain at 6% while officials assess air traffic controller staffing and system safety. The cuts began after a rise in controller callouts tied to stress and the need for second jobs, and many controllers missed two paychecks during the government shutdown. The Department of Transportation said the FAA safety team recommended reductions following a "rapid decline" in controller availability. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the limit will stay in place until data show improving trend lines. Delta expects to resume full capacity in the next few days. More than 10,100 flights were canceled since restrictions began.

Read at Fast Company