Transportation Secretary Duffy says flight data was “concerning,” prompting FAA-ordered cancellations
With flight discounts from Friday to 40 major US airportsTransportation Secretary Sean Duffy said safety was his top priority – but he declined to share information about the data that led to the decision to reduce capacity.
Airlines were ordered to reduce flights as air traffic control personnel became increasingly stretched during the crisis. government shutdownleading to intermittent ground stops.
“We had seen the staffing triggers that were coming from air traffic controllers — one day it was Los Angeles, another day it was New York, Minneapolis, Atlanta — and so as we looked at the data, we saw an increase in the numbers in some of the categories that we don’t like,” Duffy told “CBS Mornings” Friday.
“As this data came to us, we decided to make whatever decisions we thought were appropriate,” Duffy said.
He would not elaborate on what the data shows, but said it would be provided to airlines and Congress later.
Later in the day, speaking at Reagan National Airport in Washington, Duffy said some of those concerns included “more violations” of the minimum distance maintained between planes in the air, as well as an increase in tarmac incursions.
Airlines are expected to cut Friday spending by at least 4%. flights and increase to 10% by the end of next week if the shutdown continues. The cuts will affect everything from commercial travel to cargo and private jets, even space launches.
“My job is to be preventive”
As the shutdown enters its second month, Duffy said some air traffic controllers are working 10 hours a day, six days a week.
“This pressure on the controllers gave us figures that were not worrying, but worrying. So my job is to be preventive,” he said.
The air traffic controllers’ union said the country was already short thousands of controllers before the shutdown. As employees continue to go unpaid, sick calls have increased.
Rep. Rick Larsen of Washington, the top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, called for more transparency as flights are reduced.
“If people want to question us, my answer is: Open the government,” Duffy said. “You know, we have to take unprecedented action because we’re in an unprecedented situation with the shutdown.”
He said he worked with the FAA administrator and safety team on the plans.
“I’ve done everything I can to minimize disruption to the airspace. I’m trying to get people where they want to go and get them there safely,” he said.
In its flight reduction order, the FAA said it would impose a $75,000 fine for each flight a carrier operates above government limits.
