End of US government shutdown prompts lifting of nationwide flight restrictions

WASHINGTON, United States (MNTV) – The US Federal Aviation Administration is lifting all commercial flight restrictions imposed during the government shutdown, clearing the way for normal operations to resume after weeks of widespread cancellations.

The FAA announced Sunday that the emergency order—affecting 40 major airports—will expire at 6 a.m. Monday following a steady recovery in air traffic controller staffing.

The shutdown-driven mandate had triggered thousands of cancellations at key hubs including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the decision follows safety team recommendations confirming a sharp drop in staffing-related incidents.

Duffy praised the agency’s “dedicated safety team” for maintaining order during the prolonged shutdown and reiterated priorities such as expanded controller recruitment and upgrades to create a “state-of-the-art air traffic control system.”

The FAA first imposed nationwide flight reductions on November 7 as staffing levels plunged amid the budget impasse.

Cancellations peaked on November 9 when more than 2,900 flights were grounded due to the FAA mandate, personnel shortages, and severe weather.

Conditions improved last week as congressional leaders neared a shutdown resolution, allowing the FAA to cancel plans for additional reductions. Staffing-trigger events dropped from 81 on November 8 to just one by November 16, returning to pre-shutdown levels.

Once the order is lifted, restrictions on general aviation, visual flight rules, commercial space operations, and specialized missions will also be removed.