FAA Initiates Flight Restoration Post-Shutdown, Navigates Ongoing Restrictions

The FAA (US regulator) is easing flight restrictions previously imposed on commercial flights at 40 major US airports following the recent government shutdown. Mandatory flight reductions, initially set at 6%, will decrease to 3%, although these restrictions remain in place until air traffic control staffing levels stabilize and safety standards are met. The unprecedented order, implemented on November 7, disrupted thousands of flights nationwide due to increased air traffic controller absences during the 43-day shutdown. Many controllers, unpaid for over a month, faced financial difficulties.

Flight reductions began at 4% and increased to 6%, with further increases paused as more controllers returned to work amid reports of a congressional agreement to end the shutdown. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy referenced reports of incidents such as planes flying too closely together, more frequent runway incursions, and pilot concerns over controller responsiveness during the shutdown period. Airlines for America, the trade group of U.S. airlines, warned of potential residual effects for days after the restrictions began.

The nationwide shortage of controllers isn't new, but the shutdown put a spotlight on the problem. Duffy stated that 15-20 controllers were retiring daily, and some younger controllers were leaving the profession by the end of the shutdown. The FAA faces the challenge of restoring the aviation system to full capacity while addressing the underlying issues that led to the flight restrictions.