FAA Ends Flight Restrictions Following Government Shutdown

Mon Nov 17 2025 06:15:20 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Federal Aviation Administration has lifted all restrictions on commercial flights imposed during a prolonged government shutdown, allowing airlines to return to normal operations starting Monday.

The FAA's decision to revoke flight restrictions comes after safety concerns during the government shutdown led to staffing shortages at air traffic control facilities. Flights were initially reduced by up to 6%, causing significant disruptions nationwide at major airports. With improvements in air traffic controller staffing, the FAA has restored regular flight operations, giving airlines a hopeful outlook for upcoming busy travel periods, such as Thanksgiving.

The Federal Aviation Administration announced it is lifting restrictions on commercial flights that were imposed across 40 major airports during the government's longest shutdown. The restrictions, in place since November 7, were instituted due to safety concerns stemming from staffing shortages at air traffic control facilities.

Airlines can resume their regular flight schedules starting Monday at 6 a.m. EST, as confirmed by Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford in a joint statement.

Initially, the FAA limited air traffic by 4%, which increased to 6% at the height of the shutdown. As improvements in air traffic controller availability were reported, the FAA gradually reduced cuts to 3% before lifting them altogether.

Impacted airports included major hubs in cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, with some cancellations peaking at over 2,900 flights on November 9 due to the FAA's order and severe weather conditions. With the restrictions now lifted, airline leaders express optimism about a recovery ahead of the busy Thanksgiving travel season.

Despite lifting restrictions, the FAA also noted an awareness of reports regarding non-compliance by some carriers during the emergency order, stating it is evaluating enforcement options. The agency's assessment for lifting the order was based on safety trend reviews and a steady decline in staffing-related incidents in air traffic control.

Workers at the FAA and other federal agencies experienced financial strain during the shutdown, missing two paychecks, while air traffic controllers were part of the group working without pay. The government shutdown has now officially ended, restoring regular operations and alleviating pressure on the aviation system.