FAA Reduces Airport Flight Cuts from 10% to 6% for Safety
Published Date: 11/17/2025
Notice
Summary
The FAA is updating its emergency rules to keep our skies safe and smooth. Instead of cutting flights by 10% at some busy airports, airlines now only need to reduce flights by 6% during the day. This change starts November 13, 2025, and helps airlines keep flying while still avoiding delays and safety risks.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.
Per‑Flight Civil Penalties for Violations
Carriers that operate flights above the Order's limits may face civil penalties up to $75,000 for each flight if the carrier is not a small business, and up to $16,630 for each flight if the carrier qualifies as a small business, and the FAA may also seek injunctions under 49 U.S.C. 46106 and 46107. These penalties apply for violations while the Order is in effect beginning November 13, 2025.
Daytime Flight Cuts Reduced to 6%
Starting at 6:00 a.m. on November 13, 2025, each 14 CFR part 121 and commuter or scheduled 135 air carrier operating at the FAA's 40 High Impact Airports must reduce total daily scheduled domestic operations between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. local by 6 percent (baseline = currently scheduled domestic operations). Carriers must report reductions daily, submit an initial list by November 13, 2025, and may not exceed 15 percent reductions for any single operating certificate.
General Aviation Limits at Major Airports
Beginning November 13, 2025, general aviation operations may be reduced by up to 10 percent at High Impact Airports (explicitly including TEB, HOU, and DAL), and operators of 14 CFR part 91, non‑scheduled part 135, and part 380 public charter aircraft are prohibited from operating at the airports listed in Appendix B except for 14 CFR 121 aircraft, helicopters, aircraft based at the airport, emergency/medical/law enforcement/firefighting/military operations, or other FAA‑authorized operations.
Space Launches Limited to Night Hours
Beginning at 6:00 a.m. EST on November 13, 2025, commercial space launches and reentries are permitted only between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. local time while this Order remains in effect.
ATC Services May Be Suspended When Understaffed
When FAA facilities do not have adequate staffing, Air Traffic Control may elect not to provide certain services (including Radar Traffic Information Service, Radar Assistance to VFR aircraft, Terminal Radar Services for VFR aircraft, VFR Traffic Pattern Operations, practice approaches to VFR aircraft, flight check services, ATC services to parachute operations, and ATC services to certain special operations). The FAA may also choose not to activate ATCAAs or MOAs in affected areas while this Order is in effect.
DOT Issues Delay/Cancellation Reporting Guidance
The Department of Transportation's Office of Aviation Consumer Protection has issued guidance to carriers about reporting causes of delays and cancellations and how consumer protection rules apply given the FAA Order; the DOT posted guidance at https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/latest-news.
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