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US Ends Emergency Flight Reductions as Controller Staffing Recovers
The U.S. Department of Transportation has rescinded its emergency order requiring airlines to reduce flights nationwide, citing improved attendance among air traffic controllers following the end of the 43-day government shutdown. The move comes just ahead of the Thanksgiving travel surge, the busiest holiday period for U.S. air travel.
Shutdown Fallout and Safety Measures
The shutdown, which began in October, triggered a wave of absenteeism among controllers-essential workers forced to operate without pay. In response, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandated flight reductions starting November 7 to mitigate safety risks. At its peak, the order required cuts of up to 10% of domestic flights, leading to thousands of cancellations and delays in early November.
Airports resorted to unconventional measures, including remote guidance from control towers miles away, to maintain operations. The crisis exacerbated an existing shortage of controllers, many of whom reported taking second jobs or facing severe stress due to unpaid work.
Recovery and Thanksgiving Travel
With the shutdown's resolution last week, controller staffing has "snap[ped] back," according to the Transportation Department. Over 6 million passengers-2% more than last year-are expected to fly during Thanksgiving, per AAA data. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the order's lift, stating, "Controllers have returned to their posts and normal operations can resume."
Duffy added that focus would now shift to "surging controller hiring" and modernizing air traffic infrastructure. Controllers will receive back pay, and prior threats of termination for absences have been withdrawn.
Compliance and Lingering Concerns
The FAA acknowledged "reports of non-compliance" with the flight-reduction order but did not specify which airlines were involved or potential penalties. Data showed a sharp decline in staffing-related disruptions: just nine alerts for grounded or delayed flights were recorded last weekend, compared to 81 on November 8.
"Supplies have stabilized, but we remain vigilant to ensure safety isn't compromised as travel demand peaks," an FAA spokesperson noted.
Next Steps
The FAA plans to review enforcement actions for non-compliant carriers while accelerating hiring to address long-term staffing gaps. Industry observers warn that residual delays could persist as airlines adjust schedules.
