The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced the imminent end of flight restrictions in the United States, which were imposed during the recent government shutdown. These restrictions affected thousands of flights nationwide at 40 major airports, owing to concerns over air traffic controller fatigue and staffing shortages.
Following congressional approval and the signing of legislation by President Donald Trump, operations are expected to return to normal from 6 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday. The FAA stated that staffing levels have shown significant improvement, with reports indicating only one air traffic controller shortage as of Sunday. The restrictions had initially mandated airline flight reductions of up to 6 percent but have now been rescinded in light of the improved situation.
During the shutdown period, flight cancellations and delays surged, prompting the FAA to order temporary reductions to ensure safety. The agency also indicated it is reviewing enforcement measures against airlines that did not fully comply with emergency orders. FlightTracker data showed only 149 cancellations on Sunday, well below the mandated reduction thresholds.
With the shutdown's resolution, airlines can re-establish their schedules and resume normal operations. The lifting of restrictions marks a significant step toward restoring routine air travel across the country, which was disrupted for more than six weeks.
