US flight cancellations fall as air traffic control absences shrink

U.S. flight cancellations have fallen sharply over the last day as air traffic control absences shrank just hours before the House of Representatives is set to vote on a bill on Wednesday to end a record-setting government shutdown.

Airlines in the United States canceled nearly 900 flights on Wednesday – the fewest in six days – under a Federal Aviation Administration requirement they cancel 6% of flights at the 40 busiest airports to address safety concerns. Some airlines told Reuters they think the FAA will reduce a planned 8% flight cut on Thursday to 6%. Air traffic control absences accounted for just 1% of delays on Tuesday, compared with 5% on average before the shutdown, the FAA said.