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43m ago

Effective 6 A.M. ET, FAA Ends Emergency Flight Caps at 40 Airports

The agency said a sustained drop in staffing-trigger events made it safe to restore normal schedules.

An American Airlines plane takes off near the air traffic control tower at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on November 12, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
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Travelers at San Francisco International Airport. The FAA lifted nationwide flight limits Sunday, allowing SFO, Oakland and other major airports to resume normal operations after the shutdown.
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Overview

  • The emergency order limiting commercial flights during the 43‑day shutdown was terminated Monday, allowing airlines to resume regular schedules at major hubs including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Atlanta.
  • Reductions began November 7 at 4%, rose to 6%, and were rolled back to 3% on Friday before being fully lifted after system performance improved.
  • FAA officials cited a safety review and a steep decline in controller staffing triggers, from a record 81 on November 8 to single digits over the weekend, with one reported on Sunday.
  • The termination also ends temporary limits on some visual flight‑rule approaches, certain general aviation operations, parachute activities and commercial space launches.
  • Operational data showed just 0.25% of flights canceled Sunday at the 40 airports, while the FAA reviews reports of carrier non‑compliance that could carry fines up to $75,000 per excess flight and airlines project a return to normal ahead of Thanksgiving despite longer‑term staffing shortfalls.