UPDATE: U.S. officials have officially lifted all flight restrictions imposed during the historic federal government shutdown, allowing airlines to resume normal operations as of Monday, November 13. This decisive move restores air travel for millions of passengers after a turbulent period marked by significant disruptions.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had imposed restrictions on air traffic since November 7 at 40 major airports including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta due to safety concerns. These limitations impacted thousands of flights and affected millions of travelers, with cancellations peaking at more than 2,900 flights on November 9. The shutdown, lasting a record 43 days, ended on November 12.
As of this morning, all restrictions have been fully lifted. Earlier over the weekend, air traffic was still constrained by a 3% reduction, but the FAA confirmed that normal operations can now resume. Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium indicated that actual cancellations were even lower than mandated, with fewer than 1% of flights not occurring.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed gratitude for the FAA’s safety team, stating, “I want to thank the FAA’s dedicated safety team for keeping our skies secure during the longest government shutdown in our nation’s history.” He assured the public that air traffic controllers have returned to their posts and that normal operations can now proceed without further disruptions.
The FAA noted that it is reviewing reports of non-compliance by airlines during the emergency period and is considering enforcement options. With the busy Thanksgiving travel season approaching, the lifting of these restrictions comes as a relief for travelers and airlines alike, who had faced uncertainty during the shutdown.
Travelers can now book flights with confidence as the aviation sector begins to stabilize. Stay tuned for more updates as airlines adjust their schedules and operations return to normal.
