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FAA Freezes Flight Reductions at 6% Nationwide
FAA flight reductions are frozen at 6% for 40 major US airports as controller staffing improves.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it will keep flight reduction caps at 6% for 40 major U.S. airports, reversing plans to raise cuts to 10% by the end of the week. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized that safety remains the agency’s top priority while pointing to recent staffing gains in air traffic control (ATC).
Since restrictions began last Friday, more than 10,100 flights have been canceled, disrupting schedules for carriers and travelers alike. Delta Air Lines (DL) and several other operators said they expect to restore fuller operations over the next few days as ATC staffing stabilizes and airport ramp activity returns to normal.
Why the FAA flight reductions freeze matters
Keeping FAA flight reductions at 6% buys time for the agency to balance safety and capacity. Officials said the decision reflects improved controller availability at key facilities, while ongoing reviews of safety data and recent incidents continue. Airlines are monitoring daily ATC staffing reports to adjust dispatch plans and crew scheduling.
- Key takeaways: FAA flight reductions remain 6%; planned 10% increase reversed; 40 major airports affected; 10,100+ cancellations since last Friday.
- Who’s involved: FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Delta Air Lines (DL) and other U.S. carriers.
- What’s next: carriers will phase back routes as ATC staffing and runway operations normalize.
Travelers should check airline alerts and airport webpages before heading to the airport. Expect rolling schedule updates as carriers recover aircraft rotations and crew pairings disrupted by the initial cuts. The FAA reiterated that any future adjustments will be guided by safety data and the pace of staffing recovery across the nation’s ATC facilities.
