FAA Reduces Flight Restrictions Post-Government Shutdown

Sat Nov 15 2025 01:48:17 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Federal Aviation Administration is easing flight restrictions at U.S. airports, decreasing cuts from 6% to 3% as air traffic control staffing stabilizes after a record government shutdown.

Following a 43-day government shutdown that impacted thousands of flights, the FAA announced a reduction in mandatory flight cuts from 6% to 3% at 40 major U.S. airports. Transport Secretary Sean Duffy cited deteriorating air traffic controller staffing as the basis for these measures. Although the shutdown is over, significant challenges remain in stabilizing flights as controllers faced economic strain during the impasse. Optimism prevails among airline executives as they prepare for the busy Thanksgiving travel period.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Friday plans to reduce some flight restrictions that were imposed at 40 major U.S. airports during the recent government shutdown. The agency has downgraded the required flight cut from 6% to 3% as air traffic control operations start stabilizing following the unprecedented 43-day shutdown, which ended on November 12.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted that these restrictions would persist until there is a stabilization of staffing at air traffic control centers, with ongoing assessments of safety metrics. The order had been initiated on November 7 due to rising absenteeism among controllers, exacerbated by the financial strain derived from missing paychecks for over a month.

Initially, the flight cuts began at 4% and were later increased to 6%. Although the FAA had anticipated a target cut of 10%, they held back on further increases as reports indicated that more controllers were returning to work, coinciding with news of progress towards ending the shutdown.

Throughout the shutdown, air traffic controllers reported increasing incidents of planes coming too close together in the airspace, alongside multiple runway incursions and concerns from pilots regarding controller responsiveness.

With the operational condition of the aviation system still in question, many airplanes remain rerouted, causing ripple effects that may resonate for several days. Airlines for America have cautioned that the impacts could continue for an extended period.

Despite the challenges, some experts suggest that travel patterns could return to normal in time for the Thanksgiving travel rush, as airline executives express optimism for recovery. The ongoing nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers remains an area of concern, having worsened through the shutdown, with reports of 15-20 controllers retiring daily.