Aviation
US Flights Set to Resume Normal Operations
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced that flight operations across the United States will return to normal schedules on Monday following the lifting of restrictions imposed during the prolonged government shutdown.
According to the agency, “normal operations can resume” nationwide from 6:00 am Washington time (1100 GMT) on Monday.
During the 43-day shutdown, now the longest in US history, thousands of flights were cancelled and major airports experienced significant disruptions.
About ten percent of domestic flights were cut at 40 of the busiest airports due to severe understaffing, as many air traffic controllers were required to work without pay amid the budget impasse.
Tensions escalated when President Donald Trump threatened to dock the pay of controllers who called in sick, alleging that they were being “unpatriotic.” Despite the shutdown ending on Wednesday, flight reductions continued through the weekend, with a three percent cut still in effect. The FAA added that some airlines failed to fully comply with the mandated restrictions.
Transport Secretary Sean Duffy said the agency will now redirect its efforts toward strengthening the workforce and improving aviation technology. “Now we can refocus our efforts on surging controller hiring and building the brand new, state-of-the-art air traffic control system,” he stated.
The return to normal operations comes just days before millions of Americans are expected to travel for the Thanksgiving holiday on November 27, marking a critical period for the aviation industry.
