FAA Lifts Flight Restrictions: A Return to Normalcy in Air Travel
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officially lifted mandated flight reductions at major U.S. airports on Monday, November 17, 2025. This marks the end of travel disruptions that affected millions of passengers during the recent government shutdown. The restrictions, which required airlines to cut up to 10% of flights at 40 high-traffic airports, are being phased out as air traffic controller staffing returns to normal levels.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the gradual restoration of full flight schedules. He noted improved staffing conditions and declining air traffic controller callouts. “The FAA safety team is encouraged to see our air traffic control staffing surge,” Duffy stated. He emphasized that safety benchmarks have been met to allow normal operations to resume.
The lifting of restrictions comes at a crucial time as airlines prepare for the Thanksgiving travel period. This is expected to be one of the busiest in recent years. However, industry experts warn that it may take several days for flight schedules to fully normalize as airlines work to reposition aircraft and crews.
Airlines for America noted that “reduced flight schedules cannot immediately bounce back to full capacity” but expressed optimism about meeting holiday travel demand.
During the peak of restrictions, over 1,000 flights were canceled daily, with some airports experiencing cancellation rates above 10%. The return to normal operations is expected to significantly improve travel reliability for millions of passengers.