FAA Lifts Flight Restrictions as Thanksgiving Travel Season Approaches

The Federal Aviation Administration announced Sunday that flight restrictions affecting 40 major U.S. airports will end at 6 a.m. Eastern Time Monday, providing relief for travelers ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday period.

The restrictions, which reduced air traffic capacity by at least 4% at affected airports, were implemented during the recent government shutdown. In a joint statement, the FAA and Transportation Secretary cited "safety trends and the steady decline of staffing-trigger events in air traffic control facilities" as reasons for lifting the limitations.

The measures had been necessary as air traffic controllers worked without pay during the shutdown. Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, described the toll on workers: "The stresses, the pressure, the fatigue is setting in. Air traffic controllers are texting, 'I don't even have enough money to put gas in my car to come to work.'"

With the shutdown resolved, controllers are receiving back pay and attendance bonuses, which industry observers say has improved morale. Airlines are returning to normal schedules as Thanksgiving approaches—the busiest air travel period of the year according to TSA data.

Aviation experts advise passengers to continue monitoring airline apps for potential delays or cancellations, though these are expected to stem from typical causes such as weather rather than staffing issues. Brian Kelly, founder of travel website The Points Guy, said travelers should watch for "weather-related incidents that could kind of throw the system out of whack."