FAA Lifts Emergency Flight Restrictions: Normal Operations Back on Track
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) put an end to its emergency flight reduction order on November 17, 2025, paving the way for normal operations to recommence across the National Airspace System. This follows weeks of disruptions caused by the government shutdown. The announcement was made by Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, citing significant improvements in air traffic control staffing levels.
The emergency order had necessitated airlines to cut down flights by as much as 6% at 40 major airports. This was due to air traffic controller staffing shortages during the government shutdown. However, staffing triggers plummeted dramatically from a record high of 81 on November 8 to a mere one on November 16. This indicates that controllers had returned to work post the shutdown.
With the termination of the order, restrictions on general aviation operations at 12 airports, visual flight rule approaches, commercial space launches during daytime hours, and parachute operations were also lifted. The FAA has stated that it is currently reviewing potential enforcement actions against carriers that may have failed to comply with the emergency restrictions during the order’s duration.
Source: FAA Newsroom