FAA eases flight cuts, airlines now have to cancel only 3% of trips as ATC shortage recedes

As the United States recovers from the shutdown, the FAA on Friday scaled back its earlier order for airlines to trim schedules at 40 airports, lowering mandatory cancellations from 6 per cent to 3 per cent amid improving air traffic controller staffing. In a statement, the FAA said that the airlines will only have to cancel three per cent of the flights from Saturday, November 15, itself.

The FAA initially ordered flight reductions at busy airports on November 7, citing safety concerns as rising absences hit air traffic facilities and control towers. Controllers were among the federal employees who were required to work while going unpaid during the shutdown.