FAA lifts emergency flight restrictions just before Thanksgiving holiday travel

The Federal Aviation Administration is lifting all restrictions on commercial flights that were imposed at 40 major airports during the nation's longest government shutdown. 

'I want to thank the FAA's dedicated safety team for keeping our skies secure during the longest government shutdown in our nation's history and the country's patience for putting safety first,' Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement.

'Thanks to President Trump's leadership, controllers have returned to their posts and normal operations can resume.

'Now we can refocus our efforts on surging controller hiring and building the brand new, state-of-the-art air traffic control system the American people deserve.'

Citing safety concerns as staffing shortages mounted at air traffic control facilities during the shutdown, the FAA issued an unprecedented order to limit traffic in the skies. 

It had been in place since November 7 and was impacting thousands of flights across the country at the height of the crisis.

The longest-ever government shutdown ended on November 12 after a 43-day standoff in the Senate, sparking hope that the chaos in the skies would soon be resolved.

The Federal Aviation Administration is lifting all restrictions on commercial flights that were imposed at 40 major airports during the nation's longest government shutdown

Airlines will be able to resume their regular flight schedules beginning on Monday at 6am, the agency said on Sunday night

A man is seen sleeping on the ground of Terminal C at LaGuardia airport in Queens, New York

'Today's decision to rescind the order reflects the steady decline in staffing concerns across the NAS and allows us to return to normal operations,' FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said.

'I am grateful for the hard work of the FAA safety and operations teams and for their focus on the safety of the traveling public.' 

The flight cuts started at 4 percent and later grew to 6 percent before the FAA on Friday rolled the restrictions back to 3 percent, citing continued improvements in air traffic controller staffing after the House voted to end the shutdown.

The number of flights canceled this weekend was at its lowest point since the order took effect and was well below the 3 percent cuts FAA was requiring for Saturday and Sunday. 

Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium showed that less than 1 percent of all flights were canceled this weekend. 

The FAA statement said an agency safety team recommended the order be rescinded after 'detailed reviews of safety trends and the steady decline of staffing-trigger events in air traffic control facilities.'

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy thanked Trump and the FAA's safety team for their hard work during the shutdown

Citing safety concerns as staffing shortages grew at air traffic control facilities during the shutdown, the FAA issued an unprecedented order to limit traffic in the skies 

The statement said the FAA 'is aware of reports of non-compliance by carriers over the course of the emergency order. 

'The agency is reviewing and assessing enforcement options.'

Cancelations hit their highest point November 9, when airlines cut more than 2,900 flights because of the FAA order, ongoing controller shortages and severe weather in parts of the country. 

Conditions began to improve throughout last week as more controllers returned to work amid news that Congress was close to a deal to end the shutdown. 

That progress also prompted the FAA to pause plans for further rate increases. The agency had initially aimed for a 10 percent reduction in flights.

Duffy said worrisome safety data showed the move was necessary to ease pressure on the aviation system and help manage worsening staffing shortages at air traffic control facilities.

Duffy hasn't shared the specific safety data that prompted the cuts, but he cited reports during the shutdown of planes getting too close in the air, more runway incursions and pilot concerns about controllers' responses.

Airline leaders expressed optimism that operations would rebound in time for the Thanksgiving travel period after the FAA lifted its order.

Impacted airports included large hubs in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Atlanta. Miami is pictured, above

Air traffic controllers were among the federal employees who were expected to continue working without pay throughout the shutdown. They missed two paychecks during the impasse.

Prior to reaching a resolution, Trump demanded essential workers who had refused to work during the shutdown return to normal duties or risk further punishment.

'All Air Traffic Controllers must get back to work, NOW!' the president said last Monday.

'Anyone who doesn’t will be substantially “docked''.'

He lauded those who refrained from complaining and dutifully worked without any payment.

For these select 'patriotic' controllers, Trump suggested they receive $10,000 bonuses.

'For those Air Traffic Controllers who were GREAT PATRIOTS, and didn’t take ANY TIME OFF for the “Democrat Shutdown Hoax,” I will be recommending a BONUS of $10,000 per person for distinguished service to our Country.'

'For those that did nothing but complain, and took time off, even though everyone knew they would be paid, IN FULL, shortly into the future, I am NOT HAPPY WITH YOU.'

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem acted on Trump's advice following the shutdown, offering $10,000 bonuses to a handful of TSA workers who provided 'exemplary service' during the six week shutdown.

• Will loyal air traffic controllers who worked through the shutdown get a presidential bonus?
• Why are air traffic controllers cracking under pressure during daunting government shutdown, prompting FAA to slash flight schedules?
• How will Trump's proposed $10,000 bonus for 'patriotic' air traffic controllers impact the brewing tensions amid the prolonged government shutdown?
• How is the government shutdown leaving crucial air traffic controllers unpaid and airports in disarray?
• Will the FAA chaos cripple air safety with unpaid controllers and TSA agents amid looming shutdown?