FAA Lifts Flight Restrictions, Normal Schedules Resume Monday

UPDATE: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) just announced it is lifting all flight restrictions affecting 40 major U.S. airports, including Newark Liberty International Airport, due to staffing improvements following the nation’s longest government shutdown. Effective Monday at 6 a.m. EST, airlines are cleared to resume their normal flight schedules after a tumultuous period that saw cancellations peak at over 2,900 flights in a single day.

The FAA’s decision comes after a staggering 43-day shutdown that raised serious safety concerns due to significant staffing shortages among air traffic controllers. Restrictions, which began on November 7, 2023, were progressively tightened, initially cutting flights by 4%, then 6%, before being rolled back to 3% as conditions improved.

Authorities confirmed that this weekend marked the lowest number of flight cancellations since the FAA’s restrictions were implemented. Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium indicated that cancellations fell to less than 1% of total flights, with only 149 flights canceled on Sunday, down from 315 on Saturday.

Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford stated that an FAA safety team recommended the lifting of restrictions following detailed reviews of safety trends and a steady decline in staffing-triggered events at air traffic control facilities.

While the lifting of restrictions has brought relief to airlines and travelers, the FAA is also investigating reports of non-compliance by some carriers during the crisis. The agency is assessing potential enforcement actions but has not provided further details.

The shutdown’s impact on air travel was severe, with air traffic controllers continuing to work without pay and missing two paychecks during the impasse. Safety concerns escalated as controllers reported near-misses and increased runway incursions. Secretary Duffy noted that the FAA’s initial aim was a 10% flight reduction to alleviate pressure on the aviation system, citing alarming safety data as justification.

Airline executives are now optimistic about operations rebounding in time for the busy Thanksgiving travel period. With normal flight schedules set to resume, travelers can expect a significant improvement in air travel reliability starting tomorrow morning.

Stay tuned for further updates on air travel as the situation develops.