Who Is Affected by This Restoration?
Travelers across the U.S., Canada, and Europe will feel the immediate effects of the FAA’s decision to lift the emergency flight reduction order. The FAA imposed these reductions to address the risk of air traffic controller absenteeism during the government shutdown, which had left many controllers working without pay. The flight reductions, which peaked at 6%, were enforced at over 40 major airports, including New York’s JFK, Chicago’s O’Hare, and Los Angeles International, causing thousands of delays and cancellations over the past several weeks.
With the FAA lifting the reductions, travelers should expect fewer delays and more timely departures as the air traffic system returns to normal. However, the lingering effects of the shutdown still impact some airports, especially those with high volumes of air traffic during the upcoming holiday season.
What Led to the FAA’s Emergency Flight Reduction Order?
The emergency flight reduction order was imposed in early November 2025 as air traffic controller absenteeism reached critical levels during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The shutdown, which lasted from October 1 to November 12, 2025, was caused by political disputes over budget cuts and health care subsidies, leading to a lack of funding for federal agencies, including the FAA.
With over 670,000 federal employees furloughed, including key aviation personnel, air traffic controllers were stretched thin, causing delays and heightening safety concerns. The FAA took the precautionary step of reducing air traffic to mitigate the risks posed by insufficient staffing, affecting both domestic and international flights. The reductions lasted for several weeks, peaking at 6% of flights, and impacted major airports across the U.S., Canada, and even some European hubs that are linked to U.S. airspace.
When Will Normal Operations Resume?
The FAA confirmed that normal air traffic operations will resume by 6 a.m. ET on Monday, November 17, 2025. Airlines are expected to return to their regular flight schedules, with the FAA no longer imposing the restrictions that had caused widespread disruptions. As Thanksgiving approaches, the recovery comes just in time for one of the busiest travel periods in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
The FAA has indicated that while air traffic is expected to return to normal, airlines and travelers should still expect residual delays as the system fully recovers. Airports that have been most impacted by the reduction orders, such as those in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, may take a few days to get back to pre-shutdown efficiency.
Where Are the Most Affected Areas?
The most affected airports have been those located in major metropolitan areas with high volumes of air traffic. Airports like New York’s JFK and LaGuardia, Chicago O’Hare, Los Angeles International, and Miami International have all experienced significant delays due to the reduced capacity and staffing shortages.
International airports, particularly those with strong ties to U.S. flight routes, also faced disruptions, including airports in Europe such as London Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle. These disruptions not only caused delays in the U.S. but also created a ripple effect across international travel, with connections and layovers often extended or rerouted due to the reduced capacity in U.S. airspace.
Why Did the FAA Wait to Lift the Reduction Order?
The FAA took its time lifting the flight reduction order to ensure that staffing levels had returned to normal and that safety protocols could be fully maintained. After the shutdown ended on November 12, 2025, the FAA worked to quickly assess staffing levels and ensure that air traffic controllers were back in place and fully trained for normal operations. The decision to wait until Monday morning to lift the order was likely made to allow time for final adjustments in staffing and to prepare airlines for the return to normal flight schedules.
The FAA and U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy emphasized that the restoration of full air traffic operations was crucial not only for the efficiency of travel but also for the safety of passengers. With airlines already bracing for high volumes of passengers due to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, the FAA ensured that any disruption to the air traffic system would be minimal before the busy travel period begins.
How Will This Affect Thanksgiving Travel?
Thanksgiving travel in the U.S. is historically one of the busiest periods of the year, with millions of people flying to visit family and friends. The FAA’s decision to lift the emergency flight reduction order ahead of this critical travel window ensures that the airline industry will be able to accommodate the surge in passengers without further delays or disruptions.
Airlines have been preparing for the increased demand by scheduling extra flights and adjusting their timetables, but the reduction in flight capacity during the shutdown meant that many travelers had to deal with longer wait times or were rerouted. The return to normal operations will provide travelers with more options and fewer delays, especially with more international travelers arriving through U.S. airports.
Conclusion:
The lifting of the emergency flight reduction order by the FAA marks the end of a turbulent period for air travel in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. With the air traffic system returning to full capacity, travelers can expect smoother operations and fewer disruptions as they prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday. Although the government shutdown caused significant delays and complications, the timely restoration of air traffic operations allows airlines to manage the anticipated surge in passengers and continue to provide safe and efficient travel across U.S., Canada, and European airspace.
Tags: Sean P. Duffy Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), air traffic, airports, government shutdown
