FAA Lifts Flight Restrictions at Major U.S. Airports
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Sunday that it is lifting all restrictions on commercial flights imposed during the recent government shutdown, which lasted a record 43 days. Airlines will be able to resume their full schedules starting Monday at 6 a.m. EST.
Background on Flight Restrictions
During the shutdown, which began on November 7, safety concerns regarding air traffic control staffing shortages prompted the FAA to issue an unprecedented order limiting air traffic at 40 major airports across the United States. This measure included major hubs in cities such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. Initially, the FAA required a 4% reduction in flights, which later increased to 6% as the situation worsened. However, as conditions improved, the cuts were gradually reduced to 3% by Friday.
Recent Flight Data
The impact of the FAA’s order had been significant, with over 2,900 flights canceled on November 9, exacerbated by controller shortages and severe weather. Despite this, the weekend saw a marked improvement, with less than 1% of all flights canceled. Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium reported only 149 flight cancellations on Sunday and 315 on Saturday, indicating a return to more stable operations.
Safety Review and Recommendations
An internal FAA safety team conducted detailed reviews of safety trends and noted a steady decline in incidents related to staffing shortages at air traffic control facilities. As a result, they recommended the lifting of the order, leading to Sunday’s announcement.
The FAA has acknowledged reports of non-compliance by several carriers during the emergency order and is currently exploring enforcement options, although specific details have not been disclosed.
Moving Forward
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy described the flight limitations as a necessary precaution to manage worsening staffing shortages and maintain safety in the aviation system. Air traffic controllers, who worked without pay during the shutdown and missed two paychecks, have returned to work in increasing numbers as congressional negotiations progressed towards ending the impasse.
Airline leaders are now optimistic that flight operations will rebound and adequately accommodate the upcoming Thanksgiving travel period in light of the lifted restrictions.