New: Congressman Larsen told me that he came around on the DOT's flight cut justification after initially calling it “a dramatic and unprecedented step." For @theaircurrent.com subs: read on for an interesting tidbit about his convo with FAA. Read here: theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc...

Breaking news story on FAA/DOT freezing flight cuts at 6% rather than increasing to 8% tomorrow and 10% Friday, as previously planned. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Things definitely a bit calmer today on the air travel front. Based on current FlightAware data percentage of canceled flights less than 5% across the major airports. Overall US cancellations close to 900, which is still higher than usual but not crazy. www.flightaware.com/live/cancell...

It could take a while for for government operations to return to normal even after the shutdown ends. w/ @allyversprille.bsky.social www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Here's what you need to know to start your day

Secretary Duffy says that if the House does not vote to reopen the government tomorrow, the U.S. airspace system will “not make it to Thanksgiving.”

Airlines and aviation regulators warned that flight disruptions are likely to continue even after the government reopens. Thousands of flights have been cancelled as air traffic restrictions ramp up. n.pr/47B5xpN

ICYMI Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Fox News yesterday that the FAA/DOT are about a week or two away from selecting a prime integrator for their air traffic modernization project.

"This is real-time corruption on full display," Hakeem Jeffries just now on the millions that could go to 8 Republican US Senators in the spending bill. He decries millions for the "slush fund" while zero dollars go to health care tax credits for 24 million.

Holiday discounts are expected to be slimmer this year as tariffs have retailers "between a rock and a hard place."

Buried inside the deal to reopen government is a provision that would give Senators private right of action to sue for millions in damages over their phone records being analyzed by Jack Smith's team. news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...

Today, I'm a year older. On one of my birthdays when I covered crypto, FTX filed for bankruptcy kicking off a lot of chaos in the crypto market. Now I cover aviation and we're in a record-breaking government shutdown where air travel disruptions dominate the headlines. Am I the problem?

Flagging this very nice reporting from the Air Current as well, whose reporters say they spoke to airline execs and officials that anonymously expressed skepticism about the cuts.

Days before US-mandated flight cuts went into effect across domestic carriers, some airline executives privately pressed the government on a Nov. 5 call for more information on whether the safety data justified the Trump administration’s measures. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

NATCA president about to speak to reporters about air traffic controllers missing their second full paycheck.

Latest update from data analytics company Cirium suggests airlines/passengers are going to be facing a very tough day today.

Helpful explainer on what travelers can expect and whether they'll be able to get refunds for canceled flights. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Read our latest on the flight reductions. Updating throughout the day. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Latest version of this story out, incorporating final order. www.bloomberg.com/news/article... Closing out very busy day.

And here it is. Order on 10% flight reduction plan. www.faa.gov/newsroom/FAA...

American Airlines says in a statement that it has reduced flight schedules by 4% at 40 airports Friday through Monday, amounting to about 220 flights canceled each day.

Delta posts lists of cities affected by DOT/FAA flight reduction. www.delta.com/us/en/adviso...

Some travelers will likely get less than 24 hours notice that a flight has been canceled if these reductions start kicking in tomorrow as planned. Was told by multiple people that airlines have been instructed cuts should come in 6 am - 10 pm range. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

We'll continue to update this story on the UPS plane crash in Louisville today. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

The flight disruptions keep on coming. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

DOT Secretary Sean Duffy continues to warn of flight delays if shutdown continues during press conference on Capitol Hill today. “I can’t guarantee you that your flight’s going to be on time. I can’t guarantee you that your flight’s not going to be canceled."

The Last Days of the Pentagon Press Corps (via @theatlantic.com) www.theatlantic.com/national-sec...

Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell reached a bipartisan agreement today on legislation to boost aviation safety following January's midair collision near Washington, DC. Senate Commerce Committee to vote on the bill next week. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

ICYM this lil scoop earlier w/ @lorengrush.bsky.social: Retired US Air Force Lieutenant General Joseph Guastella is being considered for the top job at NASA, according to people familiar with the discussions. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

The increase in delays at airports is largely tied to more air traffic controllers calling out sick as the shutdown drags on, DOT Secretary Sean Duffy said in a Fox Business TV interview on Thursday.

New: FAA Airports office sends a reminder to industry that fire and rescue units should have contingency plans to monitor aircraft in the event of "unplanned air traffic facility closures" presumably w/r/t the shutdown:

DOT Secretary Duffy says he’s secured more funding to prevent essential air service subsidies from lapsing until early November

ICYMI earlier: Boeing is guiding suppliers that 737 Max output could reach a 42-jet monthly tempo as soon as this month — a sign of the company’s optimism though ultimately whether that target sticks hinges on FAA approval. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Scoop on the Bloomberg Terminal: Funding for a US Transportation Department program that provides subsidies to airlines to maintain flights to small and rural US communities is set to dry up as soon as Sunday if the government shutdown persists.

With the Oct. 1 deadline looming, Congress faces another standoff over government funding. Here's what to know

Under new DOT plan posted today air traffic control services, as well as new controller hiring and training (both at the FAA Academy and in the field) would continue if a shutdown happens at midnight. That goes further than the last plan posted in March. www.transportation.gov/lapse

A preview of what's to come in today's Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing...Frontier CEO to tell lawmakers that allowing one airline to control a majority of gates at so-called “fortress hubs” is hurting competition and customers. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

FAA extends flight restrictions at Newark through October 2026, while also slightly raising the limit beginning next month. www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa...

The wife of a passenger killed in January's midair collision near Washington sues American Airlines, PSA Airlines, and the US government. w/ Madlin Mekelburg www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

FAA issues statement saying it's slowing flights at Dallas Love Field and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport "due to a reported local telephone company equipment issue that does not involve FAA equipment." Says it's working with the company to determine the cause.

Back from vacation today. Already missing these views.

OOO for two weeks ✌️

The times they are a-changin’! Airport security is starting to look different than you’ve grown used to. Some news you can use ahead of this Labor Day weekend. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

DOT officially launches process to find integrator to oversee air traffic overhaul: www.transportation.gov/briefing-roo...

If you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, some good reporting from my colleague Matthew Boyle about what it’s like to be an instructor at the FAA Academy right now, especially as the agency works to increase the number of air traffic controllers. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick sparked a minor rally in shares of defense contractors with his suggestion that the US might take ownership stakes in some of them, even as industry analysts warned the idea poses serious conflict-of-interest concerns. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Our story on DOT Secretary Sean Duffy's message to FAA HQ employees announcing plans to relocate staff to DOT's building in Navy Yard. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

DOT watchdog initiates audit into FAA's management of airspace around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport following January's deadly midair collision. www.oig.dot.gov/library-item...