The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced plans to reduce some of the flight restrictions that have been in place at 40 major U.S. airports since early November. The mandatory cuts, which initially required airlines to reduce flights by 6%, will now be eased to 3%. This comes after a record-setting 43-day government shutdown ended on November 12.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy explained that while the restrictions are being relaxed, they will not be fully lifted until air traffic control staffing levels return to normal and safety measures improve. “Restrictions would remain until staffing at air traffic control facilities stabilizes and safety metrics improve,” Duffy said.
The FAA imposed the unprecedented order on November 7 as a response to increasing strain on the aviation system caused by controller absences during the shutdown. Many controllers, unpaid for more than a month, reported financial hardship and took on additional jobs, leading to further staff shortages. According to FAA officials, “troubling data showed the measure was needed to ease pressure on the aviation system as the shutdown entered its second month and controller absences rose.”
Flight cuts began at 4% and were later raised to 6%. Although there was consideration of raising this figure to 10%, officials decided against it when attendance improved after Congress signaled an end to the impasse. During this period, air traffic controllers missed two paychecks.
Duffy has not released detailed safety data that led to these measures but mentioned incidents during the shutdown involving aircraft coming too close together in flight, an increase in runway incursions, and pilots voicing concerns about controller responses.
It remains uncertain how quickly airline operations will return to normal. The flight reductions disrupted schedules within days, causing planes and crews to be out of position across the country. Airlines for America warned that operational disruptions could persist for several days.
Some industry experts believe recovery may take longer; however, airline executives are hopeful that services can normalize before Thanksgiving week travel begins.
