FAA Ends Flight Reductions as Air Traffic Control Staffing Stabilizes

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the termination of its emergency flight reduction order, effective Monday at 6 a.m. ET, allowing normal operations to resume across the National Airspace System.

This decision follows a significant decline in staffing-trigger events at air traffic control facilities, which had been impacted by the recent 43-day government shutdown. The shutdown had led to a 6% reduction in flights at 40 major airports, including hubs in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta.

Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy expressed gratitude to the FAA's safety team for maintaining secure skies during the shutdown and emphasized the importance of refocusing efforts on hiring more air traffic controllers and modernizing the air traffic control system.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford noted that the decision to lift the order reflects the steady decline in staffing concerns and allows for a return to normal operations.

The FAA is also reviewing reports of non-compliance by some carriers during the emergency order and is assessing potential enforcement actions.