The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced that all restrictions on commercial flights at 40 major airports are being lifted, allowing airlines to resume regular schedules starting 6 a.m. Monday.
This comes after the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, which lasted 43 days and caused significant disruption to the nation’s skies.
Resuming Normal Operations
Airlines faced unprecedented limits during the shutdown due to staffing shortages at air traffic control facilities, prompting the FAA to reduce flights at key airports.
The restrictions, initially implemented on 7 November, affected major hubs including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, causing widespread flight cancellations.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the decision to lift the order reflects a steady improvement in staffing levels and a return to normal operations:
“I am grateful for the hard work of the FAA safety and operations teams and for their focus on the safety of the traveling public.”
Transportation Secretary Praises FAA and Staff
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy thanked FAA personnel and highlighted President Trump’s role in resolving the crisis:
“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, controllers have returned to their posts and normal operations can resume.
Now we can refocus our efforts on surging controller hiring and building the state-of-the-art air traffic control system the American people deserve.”
Duffy also stressed that safety remained the top priority during the shutdown, citing reports of planes coming dangerously close in the air, runway incursions, and pilot concerns about limited controller availability.
Flight Reductions and Cancellations During the Shutdown
Flight restrictions fluctuated over the shutdown period.
Initially, reductions were set at 4 percent, rising to 6 percent, and later scaled back to 3 percent as staffing improved.
According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, less than 1 percent of flights were canceled this past weekend, marking the lowest level since the restrictions began.
Flight tracking site FlightAware reported 149 canceled flights on Sunday and 315 on Saturday, compared to the peak of over 2,900 cancellations on 9 November.
Safety Concerns and FAA Review
The FAA lifted the order after reviewing safety trends and staffing improvements.
While the agency noted that some airlines may have ignored parts of the emergency order, it is reviewing enforcement options.
The decision also paused plans for further flight reductions, which had previously been targeted at 10 percent.
Controllers and Essential Workers During the Shutdown
Air traffic controllers were classified as essential federal employees, required to work without pay during the 43-day impasse.
Many missed two paychecks before the shutdown was resolved.
President Trump emphasized the need for controllers to return to work promptly, warning of pay consequences for non-compliance:
“All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW! Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially docked.”
Bonuses for Exemplary Service
Following the shutdown, Trump praised controllers who worked without complaint, promising $10,000 bonuses for those who showed exceptional dedication.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem also extended $10,000 bonuses to a small number of TSA workers who provided “exemplary service” during the closure.
Looking Ahead to a Busy Travel Season
With restrictions lifted and staffing restored, airlines and travelers alike are optimistic about smooth operations heading into the busy Thanksgiving travel period.
The FAA continues to monitor staffing and safety, aiming to ensure that the U.S. airspace remains secure and efficient.
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