The Transportation Department announced Sunday that flight reductions at 40 busy U.S. airports will end Monday morning, allowing airlines to resume normal schedules. The decision comes after the record-breaking federal shutdown that disrupted thousands of flights nationwide.
The order cancels a 3 percent reduction in domestic flights, which had been imposed at major airports during the shutdown. Operations will return to normal at 6 a.m. Monday, just as the busy Thanksgiving travel week begins, the department and the Federal Aviation Administration said.
“Today’s decision to rescind the emergency order reflects the steady decline in staffing concerns,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said in a statement.
Initially, flight cuts were set to reach 10 percent due to staffing shortages, but last week the reductions were frozen at 6 percent and then lowered to 3 percent as more air traffic controllers returned to work. DOT and FAA officials said staffing levels “have continued to snap back into place” since the shutdown ended.
The flight cuts had caused widespread cancellations, putting pressure on lawmakers to resolve the funding stalemate. The disruptions followed delays at major airports, caused in part by air traffic controllers who were working without pay and called out of shifts during the 43-day shutdown. For many travelers, airport chaos was one of the most visible effects of the government closure.
DOT justified the cuts by pointing to rising concerns about aviation safety. Pilots had reported that some controllers were “less responsive” or “more stressed,” though the department has not released exact figures.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the flight reductions as a political “stunt,” which DOT denied.
The FAA also noted that some airlines may not have fully complied with the order and said it is reviewing enforcement options. Civil penalties of up to $75,000 per flight could be imposed for operating above the mandated limits.
With the cuts lifted, travelers can expect smoother operations and fewer cancellations at major airports, offering relief ahead of one of the busiest travel weeks of the year.
The end of flight reductions signals that U.S. air travel is returning to normal after weeks of disruption. Airlines and passengers alike can now plan with greater certainty as staffing levels stabilize and airports resume full operations.
