US Flights Set to Return to Normal as FAA Lifts Shutdown Restrictions:

Flights across the United States are expected to return to normal on Monday after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it is lifting the temporary restrictions that were put in place during the recent government shutdown. The agency confirmed that airlines will be allowed to resume full schedules starting at 6 a.m. Eastern Time (11:00 GMT), marking an important step toward stabilizing the country’s busy air travel network. The FAA had implemented emergency flight reductions earlier this month as staffing shortages worsened among air traffic controllers. During the shutdown, many controllers reportedly worked long hours under increasing pressure, while others were unable or unwilling to report for duty due to fatigue and financial strain. To maintain safety, the FAA ordered cuts in operations at 40 major airports, forcing airlines to reduce flights and adjust schedules. These restrictions resulted in thousands of cancellations and widespread delays, creating frustration for travelers and significant operational challenges for airlines. The situation began to improve after President Donald Trump signed a bill on Wednesday to restore government funding, officially ending the six-week political standoff between Republicans and Democrats that had left many federal agencies strained. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the agency’s decision to lift the emergency order reflects a notable improvement in staffing conditions. According to FAA data, “staffing triggers”—instances where controller numbers fall below safe operating levels—dropped dramatically in recent days, falling from 81 incidents on November 8 to just one on Sunday. Initially, airlines had been ordered to reduce flights by 4 percent by November 7 and 6 percent by November 10. As staffing levels stabilized, officials eased the cutbacks to 3 percent last Friday, citing steady progress and more controllers returning to work following the end of the shutdown. However, the FAA also noted that it is reviewing potential enforcement actions after receiving reports that some airlines may not have fully complied with the mandated reductions in recent days. Despite this, Sunday’s nationwide flight data showed signs of recovery: only 149 flights were cancelled, according to tracking service FlightAware—well below the required 3 percent reduction. The lifting of restrictions is expected to bring much-needed relief for travelers and airlines alike. With full schedules resuming, industry observers anticipate that the backlog of delays will gradually clear, though some disruptions could linger as carriers reposition crews and aircraft. For now, the FAA says it will continue to monitor staffing and airport operations closely, but the latest developments signal a return to stability after weeks of turbulence for the nation’s aviation system.

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