Ethiopian Airlines says Africa–US flights unaffected by Federal Aviation directive

Ethiopian Airlines flights connecting Africa and the United States will continue to operate on schedule, the airline has assured its passengers.

The assurance comes after the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that airlines must cut 10 per cent of their flights at 40 of the busiest airports across the nation to reduce pressure on air traffic controllers and ensure flying remains safe during the ongoing government shutdown.

In a statement, the Ethiopian Airlines Group, however, informed passengers connecting from domestic US points or offline cities on other carriers may experience schedule adjustments or additional verification procedures as a result of the FAA directive.

"Ethiopian Airlines advises all such travellers to allow extra time for their journeys and verify connection details with their respective airlines prior to departure. We encourage all affected passengers connecting through one of our gateways (Washington Dulles International Airport, New York John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International AirportATL) to/from another US gateway to check with their respective airlines and allow extra time for connections to ensure a smooth travel experience," the airline said.

On Thursday, the US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said that since the beginning of the shutdown, controllers have been working without pay, and staffing triggers at air traffic facilities across the country have been increasing, resulting in increased reports of strain on the system from both pilots and air traffic controllers and 2,740 delays at various airports last weekend.

"My department has many responsibilities, but our number one job is safety. This isn't about politics – it's about assessing the data and alleviating building risk in the system as controllers continue to work without pay. It's safe to fly today, and it will continue to be safe to fly next week because of the proactive actions we are taking," Secretary Duffy said.

A four per cent reduction in operations took effect on Friday, November 7, ramping up to six per cent by November 11, eight per cent by November 13, and 10 per cent by November 14.

"We are seeing signs of stress in the system, so we are proactively reducing the number of flights to make sure the American people continue to fly safely. The FAA will continue to closely monitor operations, and we will not hesitate to take further action to make sure air travel remains safe," said Bryan Bedford, the FAA Administrator.

The FAA's move has been attributed to its review of aviation safety data, including voluntary, confidential safety reports that pilots and air traffic controllers file, whose data indicate increased stress on the system, which increases risk.

The order does not require a reduction in international flights but gives carriers the liberty to use their own discretion to decide which flights are cancelled to reach the order's goal.

However, it will prohibit some visual flight rule approaches (VFR) at facilities with staffing triggers, and commercial space launches and permit reentries only between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am local time.

"Decisions to increase or decrease these flight reductions will be informed by safety data," the FAA said.

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