FAA Lifts All Restrictions on Commercial Flights
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has officially lifted all restrictions on commercial flights. This change comes after a lengthy government shutdown, which affected major airports across the United States.
FAA Lifts Restrictions on Commercial Flights
On November 13, 2025, the FAA announced that airlines could resume their normal flight schedules starting November 14 at 6 a.m. EST. This decision follows a government shutdown that lasted for 43 days, with flight restrictions in place since November 7. The announcement was made by Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford.
Impact of the Government Shutdown
During the shutdown, staffing shortages at air traffic control facilities prompted the FAA to limit air traffic. Initially, flight cuts were set at 4%, later increasing to 6% before being reduced to 3% due to improved staffing levels. Major airports affected included:
- New York
- Chicago
- Los Angeles
- Atlanta
Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium indicated that cancellations were significantly lower during the weekend prior to the lifting of the restrictions, with less than 1% of flights canceled. On Saturday, 315 flights were canceled, while Sunday saw 149 cancellations.
Reasons Behind the Restrictions
The FAA imposed the restrictions due to safety concerns, including reports of planes flying too close to each other and increased incidents on runways. Air traffic controllers, some of whom worked without pay during the shutdown, faced significant pressure to manage air traffic safely amid staffing shortages.
In a statement, the FAA noted that a safety review recommended the lifting of the order, citing a steady decline in staffing-triggered events. The agency is also evaluating reports of non-compliance from airlines during the restriction period.
Outlook for Thanksgiving Travel
With the lifting of the order, airline leaders are optimistic about recovery in air travel operations in anticipation of the busy Thanksgiving holiday. Improved conditions and the return of air traffic controllers to work have contributed to this optimism, signaling a return to normalcy in the aviation sector.
