UPDATE: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has just announced that all flight restrictions imposed during the country’s longest government shutdown are officially lifted. Starting at 6 a.m. EST on Monday, November 13, 2023, airlines can resume their regular flight schedules at 40 major airports, including hubs in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta.
This urgent development comes after a historic 43-day government shutdown, which led to staffing shortages and safety concerns at air traffic control facilities. The FAA had previously implemented unprecedented traffic limitations on November 7, impacting thousands of flights nationwide. The restrictions initially resulted in a 4% cut to flights, which later increased to 6% before being rolled back to 3% in light of improved staffing.
The FAA’s decision follows a thorough review by a safety team, which concluded that safety trends were stabilizing and staffing issues were being addressed. According to FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, the agency is aware of reports of non-compliance by airlines during the restriction period and is currently evaluating enforcement options.
This weekend marked a significant improvement, with flight cancellations dropping to less than 1%—the lowest levels seen since the restrictions began. Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium revealed only 149 flights were canceled on Sunday and 315 on Saturday. This is a stark contrast to the peak cancellation day on November 9, when over 2,900 flights were cut due to the FAA order and controller shortages compounded by severe weather.
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy emphasized the necessity of these restrictions, citing alarming safety reports during the shutdown, including incidents of planes coming too close in the air and increasing runway incursions. Air traffic controllers, who were among the federal workers required to work without pay, missed two paychecks during this crisis, amplifying the urgency for operational stability.
As the aviation sector gears up for the busy Thanksgiving travel period, airline leaders express optimism for a rebound in operations. With the FAA’s restrictions now lifted, travelers can expect a return to normalcy in air travel just in time for the holidays.
Stay tuned for further updates as this situation develops.
