Washington: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is preparing to end the final phase of flight restrictions imposed on major U.S. airports, marking a significant step toward restoring full airline operations after months of disruptions tied to staffing shortages and the effects of the federal government shutdown. According to industry sources, the agency will lift its remaining 3% cap on domestic departures beginning Monday morning, allowing carriers to run their schedules without mandated cuts for the first time since early autumn.
The reductions were initially implemented when the shutdown severely strained the FAA’s air traffic control resources, forcing the agency to slash flight volumes by as much as 10% at 40 major airports across the country. The emergency measure was designed to protect safety amid widespread controller absenteeism and heightened fatigue. As conditions gradually improved, the cap was reduced to 6%, and then further lowered to 3% over the weekend. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford confirmed that staffing pressures had eased enough to justify a full rollback, noting a consistent decline in “staffing-trigger events” a safety indicator that tracks operational risk.
Airlines, however, had already begun operating with near-normal capacity. Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium showed that carriers canceled only 0.25% of scheduled flights on Sunday, a rate even lower than on typical days without restrictions. Several airlines acknowledged they had not scaled back Monday’s operations in anticipation of the FAA’s decision. Still, the agency is reviewing potential enforcement measures, as some carriers may have been operating in spite of the cap, which could result in fines of up to $75,000 per unauthorized flight.
Despite the easing of restrictions, the FAA’s workforce remains strained. The agency is still short of several thousand controllers nationwide, a gap exacerbated by the shutdown during which many employees worked without pay and took on overtime or secondary jobs to stay afloat. Since the government reopened, about 70% of back pay has been distributed, but rebuilding morale and staffing levels remains a long-term challenge.
The end of flight cuts arrives at a critical time, just ahead of the Thanksgiving travel rush. Airlines expect the decision to stabilize schedules, reduce operational uncertainty, and help accommodate the surge in holiday demand. Nevertheless, aviation officials warn that while the rollback indicates progress, the industry continues to face structural strains that will require sustained investment in training, staffing, and system resilience.