FAA Revokes Flight Limitations Following Conclusion of Government Shutdown
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has officially ended its emergency order that imposed restrictions on commercial and general aviation flights. This marks the conclusion of over a week of operational difficulties for the aviation industry.
The constraints, which were enforced since the onset of the government shutdown, necessitated flight reductions of up to 10% at 40 major airports. Moreover, general aviation operations were banned at 12 of the busiest airports. These measures were put in place due to air traffic controller staffing shortages, as federal employees worked without remuneration during the prolonged shutdown.
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford announced the revocation of restrictions on Sunday, November 16. This decision followed comprehensive safety reviews and a consistent decrease in staffing-trigger events at air traffic control facilities.
Airlines recommenced their regular flight schedules from 6 a.m. EST on Monday. Data indicated a significant enhancement in flight operations, with less than 1% of flights being cancelled over the weekend. This figure is considerably lower than the 3% reduction the FAA had previously mandated.
The announcement has brought relief to general aviation operators who were facing disproportionate restrictions. Industry groups such as AOPA and NBAA have been advocating for fair treatment throughout the crisis.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/11/16/g-s1-98067/faa-lifts-restrictions-flights