FAA probing airlines’ flight reductions during government shutdown, WSJ reports

The FAA has intensified its probe into whether airlines followed mandated flight cuts during the government shutdown, sending letters that require carriers to show proof of compliance within 30 days, The Wall Street Journal’s Andrew Tangel and Dean Seal report. Airlines that exceeded the limits could face fines of up to $75,000 per flight. “If we do not hear from you within the specified time, our report will be processed without the benefit of your statement,” said one FAA letter viewed by the Journal. Publicly traded companies in the space include Alaska Air (ALK), American Airlines (AAL), Delta Air Lines (DAL), Frontier Group (ULCC), JetBlue (JBLU), Southwest (LUV), Sun Country Airlines (SNCY) and United Airlines (UAL).