Washington D.C. – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into whether U.S. airlines adhered to mandated flight reduction orders issued during the government shutdown in November. The directives, prompted by a shortage of air traffic controllers, required carriers to cut flight schedules at 40 major airports.

Airlines were instructed to reduce their flight volumes by 3% to 6% per carrier during the period of restriction. The FAA is now warning of significant financial penalties, with fines of $75,000 for each flight found to have exceeded the permitted limits. Carriers have been given a 30-day window to demonstrate their compliance with the orders.

During the restriction period, air traffic controllers, deemed essential personnel, were not remunerated, raising concerns about potential impacts on safety and morale within the critical sector. Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium indicated that despite a required 6% reduction on November 14, flights were only cut by approximately 2% on that specific day.

The government shutdown and its associated uncertainties also had a tangible financial impact on the aviation industry. Delta Air Lines, for instance, reported losses exceeding $200 million and the cancellation of over 10,000 flights within a nine-day period due to the operational challenges. The FAA’s investigation will now determine the extent of airline compliance and the potential for hefty fines across the industry.