FAA to Restore Full Flight Schedules Monday, Ending Emergency Reductions
The Federal Aviation Governance (FAA) will end its emergency flight reduction order Monday at 6 a.m. ET, restoring normal flight operations after weeks of disruptions. The order, implemented during the recent government shutdown to address air traffic controller fatigue and staffing shortages, initially reduced flights at 40 major airports by 4% on November 7th.
the FAA had planned to increase reductions to 10% by Friday, but reversed course, first freezing reductions at 6% on Wednesday and then dropping them to 3% on Friday, as staffing levels improved. This decision comes as a relief with the busy Thanksgiving travel period approaching.
According to the FAA, the rollback is possible due to the “stabilized” staffing situation following the end of the government shutdown on Wednesday. Aviation officials reported a notable decline in “staffing-trigger events” - from a high of 81 on November 8th to just six on Friday, eight on Saturday, and one on Sunday.
in addition to restoring flight levels, other restrictions, including limitations on visual flight rule approaches, commercial space launches, and parachute operations, will also be lifted. The FAA is currently reviewing reports of “non-compliance by carriers” during the emergency order and will assess potential enforcement actions.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated sunday that the FAA can now “refocus” efforts on hiring additional air traffic controllers and “building the brand new, state of the art air traffic control system the American people deserve.”
