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4h ago

FAA Lowers Flight Caps to 3% at 40 Airports as Shutdown Recovery Advances

Officials cite sharp declines in controller callouts, with a weekend review to determine a full return to normal.

Passengers look at flight delays on a departure board at Orlando International Airport on Nov. 9, 2025, in Orlando, Fla.
Travelers check their flight status at Dulles International airport as the nation's air travel system begins to return to normal, as the U.S. government opens back up following the longest shutdown in U.S. history, in Dulles, Virginia, U.S. November 13, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
A Waymo autonomous electric vehicle with roof-mounted sensors parked at curb in front of BART transit station in South San Francisco on Oct. 16, 2025.
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Overview

  • The Transportation Department and FAA cut required schedule reductions from 6% to 3% starting 6 a.m. Saturday at 40 high‑impact airports.
  • System strain has eased, with daily cancellations dropping to the low hundreds versus nearly 3,000 last Sunday, according to FlightAware.
  • Staffing triggers fell from a record 81 on Nov. 8 to as few as three on Nov. 14 as controller attendance improved and partial back pay was issued.
  • The 3% limit will stay in place through the weekend as safety metrics are assessed, and some localized restrictions continue for general aviation, certain visual approaches, and overnight commercial space operations.
  • Officials and experts caution recovery will be uneven and could brush up against Thanksgiving travel, while airlines maintain flexible waivers and longer‑term controller shortages and retirements remain concerns.