FAA approval of routes and aircraft suspended because of U.S. government shut down

With President Trump’s refusal to back down over funding for his US$5.7bn U.S.-Mexico border wall resulting in a partial government shutdown, airplane manufacturers and commercial airlines are beginning to suffer from the knock-on effect of the enforced furlough being taken by FAA groups responsible for the oversight of aircraft approval and new routes.

Southwest Airlines has confirmed its plans to launch its service to Hawaii are now on hold until such time as it receives the necessary authorization. According to a Gulfstream Aerospace spokesperson, certification of its new G600 corporate jet has been adversely affected along with other “facets of our business.” The long-range business jet, which can fly nonstop from London to Los Angeles, is still expected to enter service this year.

Currently American Airlines has two MAX8 jets standing idle in Tulsa while awaiting FAA approval for commercial operation, though the carrier did not feel this would impact on its current flight schedules. United Airlines is waiting FAA approval to enter one Boeing 737 MAX9 and one Airbus A319 into service.

Talks between Trump and congressional Democrats are still at stalemate despite some of his fellow Republicans advising him to cut a deal as tension mounts across the country.

Also according to Reuters, analysts do not expect a major impact on large airlines’ capacity as a result of FAA certification delays, though management comments about the effect of a prolonged shutdown on travel and operations are awaited.