UPDATE: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has just announced the lifting of all restrictions on commercial flights across 40 major airports in the United States. Starting Monday at 6 a.m. EST, airlines can fully resume their regular flight schedules, marking a dramatic turnaround following the country’s longest government shutdown.
The FAA’s decision comes after safety concerns prompted the agency to impose unprecedented flight limits due to staffing shortages at air traffic control facilities. The restrictions, which began on November 7, affected thousands of flights nationwide, particularly at major hubs in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. These limits started at 4% and escalated to 6% before being rolled back to 3% as staffing levels improved.
In a joint statement released earlier today, Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford confirmed that the agency’s safety team recommended rescinding the flight order following a detailed review of safety trends. As air traffic controller staffing has steadily improved since the record 43-day shutdown ended on November 12, the FAA is confident that the airspace can safely accommodate normal traffic levels.
The restrictions had a significant impact, with cancellations peaking on November 9 when airlines cut over 2,900 flights due to the FAA order, controller shortages, and adverse weather conditions. However, this past weekend saw a marked improvement, with less than 1% of all flights canceled, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. Flight tracking website FlightAware reported that only 149 flights were canceled on Sunday and 315 flights on Saturday.
The FAA’s statement also addressed reports of non-compliance by airlines during the emergency order, indicating that the agency is exploring enforcement options. Although specific safety data prompting the initial restrictions has not been made public, concerns were raised about planes getting too close in the air and increased runway incursions.
As airlines prepare for a rebound in operations, industry leaders are optimistic that the lifting of restrictions will facilitate smoother travel in time for the upcoming Thanksgiving travel period. The FAA’s move reflects a broader recovery in the aviation sector, which has faced unprecedented challenges during the shutdown.
Travelers are encouraged to check their flight statuses as airlines work to restore normal schedules. The FAA’s decision marks a critical step toward stabilizing the aviation system after weeks of uncertainty and disruption. Stay tuned for more updates as the situation continues to develop.
