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Days before US government-mandated flight cuts went into effect across domestic carriers, some airline executives privately pressed for more information on whether the safety data justified the Trump administration’s measures.On a November 5 call with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford, some airline leaders asked if the agency was seeing risks that the carriers might not have been aware of, according to people familiar with the matter.Bedford, a former aviation executive, shot down any concerns over a plan to cut 10% of flights across 40 major airports, saying it was the FAA’s decision — not airlines’ — and that the reductions weren’t negotiable, said the people, who weren’t authorised to speak publicly on the discussions.What ensued was an injection of chaos into an already strained US airline network.The flight restrictions, since compounded by foul weather and other system constraints, have forced carriers to cancel thousands of flights in recent days. The impact is expected to reverberate even after lawmakers forged a pact to work toward an end to the longest government shutdown in US history.Although the Senate passed a temporary funding measure on Monday that may soon resolve the 41-day government shutdown, it’s unclear how quickly any deal would translate into a substantial easing of the disruptions.Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has said the government won’t reverse its flight cuts until air traffic controllers who haven’t been showing up to work are back at their facilities.More than 5mn airline passengers have been affected since the shutdown started, according to Airlines for America, a trade group representing the largest carriers.Alaska Air Group Chief Executive Officer Ben Minicucci was among the most vocal in asking for more data to justify the need for the cuts, the people said. Smaller airlines have had a harder time absorbing the reductions than larger carriers, which tend to have more flexibility in their networks.In many cases, the restrictions have hit regional flights or less-critical routes.To be sure, people familiar with the November 5 call said many of the airline executives were willing to accommodate the orders because they were already seeing an uptick of flight disruptions due to air traffic controller shortages. The safety risks were heightened, given the increased spotlight on dangerous near-misses and deadly crashes earlier this year.That included a midair collision between an American Airlines Group regional jet and a US Army helicopter in January, which resulted in safety investigators and lawmakers lambasting the FAA for not using their data more proactively to respond to risks in the airspace around Washington.Many of the executives were also being careful: Politically, speaking out against a directive from President Donald Trump could draw an unwanted rebuke or pressure from the White House.A representative for Alaska Air confirmed the airline participated in the call but disputed Bloomberg’s characterisation of its comments, without elaborating. The company referred further questions to Airlines for America, which said “safety is always our shared top priority, and Americans should have increased confidence in our airspace because the FAA has taken these measures,” according to a statement from CEO Chris Sununu.“As our safety regulator, when the FAA says they have concerns heading into a busy travel period like Thanksgiving, airlines will do whatever is necessary to ensure the system can continue to operate safely,” said Sununu, the former Republican governor of New Hampshire.Representatives for Southwest Airlines Co. and JetBlue Airways Corp didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. American, Delta Air Lines Inc. and United Airlines Holdings Inc. declined to comment.Safety isn’t something the Transportation Department bargains over, a spokesperson for the department said. It trusts the non-political safety team at the FAA to put the American people first, the representative said.Bedford and Duffy have said the flight cuts are intended to alleviate strain on air traffic controllers during the shutdown.Since the impasse over funding shuttered some federal operations, there has been an increase in controller staffing shortages at facilities across the country, resulting in delays at major airports, including those serving the New York area, Washington, Dallas and Atlanta.Supporters have praised the FAA and Transportation Department for acting quickly to address a growing safety issue.Critics have questioned Duffy’s decision to withhold the safety data used to inform the cuts, and whether the decision was, to some degree, part of efforts to pressure Democrats to forge a deal to end the shutdown.

Qatar Airways has been named the 'Best Airline in the World' at the Business Traveller Awards 2025. Held at the Sky Garden in London, the Business Traveller Awards ceremony brought together influential figures from across the travel and hospitality industry to celebrate outstanding achievements. Qatar Airways was recognised by a panel of industry experts, each bringing decades of experience and a sharp eye for excellence, for its role in advancing the aviation industry. Qatar Airways was also awarded Best Business Class in the World, Best Economy Class in the World, Best Frequent Flyer Programme in the World, Best Airline Lounge in the World (Al Mourjan Lounges, DOH), and Best Airline Between Europe and the Middle East. Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer Thierry Antinori said: "We are honoured to receive these prestigious accolades that reflect our unwavering commitment to excellence. Being named World's Best Airline, alongside recognition for our Business and Economy Class cabins, loyalty programme, and lounges, is a testament to our dedication to delivering unparalleled experiences, to our customers at each travel touchpoint. These awards reaffirm our position as a global leader and top innovator in the industry, and inspire us to continue setting new leading standards for comfort, connectivity and service." Ink Global Chief Commercial Officer Michael Keating said: "Qatar Airways performed outstandingly well in this year's Business Traveller Awards, winning five of the seven global airline categories and six awards in total. From its industry-leading Business Class product to exceptional inflight service and innovations such as free Starlink Wi-Fi, Qatar Airways is a truly deserving winner. We were delighted to celebrate their success at the Global Awards ceremony in London, and Business Traveller looks forward to seeing how the airline continues to pioneer world-class travel in the years ahead." These recognitions mark another milestone in what has been an outstanding year for Qatar Airways, as the airline continues to expand its global network of over 170 destinations globally, elevate its product offerings, and drive innovation in service excellence. As the national carrier of the State of Qatar, Qatar Airways remains committed to delivering world-class hospitality, elevating the passenger experience, and earning the trust and loyalty of travellers across the globe.

Irish budget airline Ryanair Wednesday said it would slash more than 1mn winter seats in Spain over "excessive airport fees", sparking "extortion" accusations from the national airport operator.The row is the latest clash in an ongoing spat between the carrier and Spanish authorities that erupted last year after the leftist government fined Ryanair €107.8mn for "abusive practices" such as charging for hand luggage.Ryanair said in a statement that the cuts, which affect destinations including the popular Atlantic holiday island of Tenerife, were "due to excessive and uncompetitive airport fees" applied by state-owned airport operator Aena."These cuts will harm already vulnerable Spanish regional airports even more, and inevitably lead to a loss of investment, connectivity, tourism and jobs," Ryanair added, warning "many routes will be economically unviable".Aena chief executive Maurici Lucena retorted in a scathing statement that Spanish airports would "cease to function well" if they "evolved to the tune of the demands, whining, swindling and intolerable strategy of extortion of Ryanair".In January, the airline announced it was scrapping 800,000 seats on seven regional Spanish routes in response to Aena's airport fees.It has also dropped several French airports over a tax hike on air travel.In the past two years, the company has "tried to intimidate the public authorities of Germany, France, Belgium, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark and the United Kingdom", Lucena added.In response to last year's fine in Spain, Ryanair's group chief executive Michael O'Leary slammed Spain's far-left consumer rights minister Pablo Bustinduy as a "crazy communist".The firm then launched an advertising campaign that depicted the minister as a clown.Bustinduy has said "no pressure, no blackmail and no insult will stop me" in his defence of Spanish consumers against multinationals.