FAA says flight cuts will stay at 6% because more air traffic controllers are coming to work

"Flight reductions at 40 major U.S. airports will remain at 6% instead of rising to 10% by the end of the week because more air traffic controllers are coming to work, officials said Wednesday. The announcement was made as Congress took steps to end the longest government shutdown in history. Not long after, President Donald Trump signed a government funding bill to end the closure."

"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."

Flight reductions at 40 major U.S. airports are capped at 6% because more air traffic controllers are returning to work, preventing a planned rise to 10%. Many controllers had called out citing stress and the need for second jobs after missing two paychecks during the government shutdown. The Department of Transportation said the FAA safety team recommended the decision following a rapid decline in controller availability. Officials said the 6% limit will remain while safety data are assessed and decisions are guided by data. Airlines expressed optimism about restoring full capacity soon; over 10,100 flights were canceled since restrictions began.

Read at The Mercury News