Following weeks of turbulence caused by the now-ended federal shutdown, the Federal Aviation Administration has announced that it will freeze nationwide flight cancellations at 6%, halting further cuts that had been scheduled to reach 10%. The move affects 40 of the busiest U.S. airports, where airlines had already been trimming schedules to manage reduced staffing.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told reporters in Washington that the decision reflects "encouraging progress in restoring staffing and operational safety," noting that more air traffic controllers have returned to work since federal pay resumed. The FAA said it will maintain the 6% ceiling "until system stability is confirmed."
