In a move that will ease looming holiday travel pressures, the Federal Aviation Administration announced Sunday that it is lifting its emergency order reducing flights at 40 major US airports, paving the way for a return to normal operations beginning Monday.
The restrictions had mandated a reduction of up to 6% in flight volume at those airports. The reduction was set to increase up to 10%. The restrictions were first imposed on Nov. 7 in response to a staffing shortage among air traffic controllers during the record-breaking 43-day federal government shutdown, which ended on Nov. 12.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the order was rescinded after a safety review team found a “steady decline of staffing-trigger events” across the National Airspace System, meaning controllers have returned to more normal staffing levels.
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The decision matters for several reasons:
- Passenger impact: With the busy Thanksgiving travel time looming, resuming full flight schedules reduces the risk of further cancellations or delays that capacity constraints at major hubs could have caused.
- Safety assurance: The initial restrictions highlighted the severe strain on the air traffic system. Lifting them signals that key staffing metrics are back in an acceptable range.
- Industry recovery: Airlines and airports can now begin restoring full flight schedules, and repositioning aircraft and crews with fewer operational constraints, which will help to stabilize airline operations and the broader travel economy.
For travelers, the key takeaway is simple. Flights now move toward full strength, including at previously restricted hubs, such as those in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Atlanta.
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