Overview
- The government reopened late Wednesday after President Donald Trump signed a funding bill, ending a record 43-day shutdown.
- Mandatory reductions at 40 high-impact airports will stay at 6% instead of rising to 8% and 10% this week as controller callouts decline.
- More than 10,100 flights have been canceled since the caps began, and nearly 1,000 U.S. flights were scrubbed early Thursday even as conditions improved.
- The FAA cites a chronic controller shortfall—roughly 2,000 to 3,500 below targets—with retirements accelerating; controllers are slated to receive about 70% of back pay within 48 hours.
- Airlines and officials say it will take several days to untangle schedules and reposition crews, with some experts warning disruptions could linger into the Thanksgiving travel period.