FAA Ends All Emergency Flight Reducations

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has officially lifted its emergency flight reduction order, allowing normal air traffic operations to resume across the United States. The order, which had been in place since November 7, was lifted at 6 a.m. ET on Monday (November 17) following recommendations from the FAA's safety team. This decision comes after thorough safety reviews and improvements in air traffic control staffing levels, as reported by the FAA on Sunday.

The flight reductions were initially implemented due to staffing shortages exacerbated by the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. During the shutdown, many air traffic controllers worked without pay, and others called in sick, leading to significant disruptions in air travel. The restrictions affected 40 major airports, including hubs in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, and reduced air traffic capacity by at least 4%.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed gratitude to the FAA's safety team and acknowledged the challenges faced during the shutdown. "Thanks to President Trump's leadership, controllers have returned to their posts and normal operations can resume," Duffy stated. The FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford noted that the decision to lift the order reflects the steady decline in staffing concerns across the National Airspace System (NAS).

The FAA's announcement also mentioned the end of certain limits on general aviation operations, visual flight rule approaches, commercial space launches, and other activities.The agency is reviewing reports of non-compliance by carriers during the emergency order and assessing enforcement options.

With the resumption of normal operations, U.S. airports are preparing for the upcoming busy Thanksgiving travel period. Despite the improvements, the FAA remains about 3,500 air traffic controllers short of its targeted staffing levels. The agency plans to accelerate hiring and training through advanced technology and partnerships with colleges.