On Wednesday evening, President Donald Trump signed a bill that successfully ended a government shutdown lasting 43 days, allowing airlines to begin the process of restoring normal flight schedules. Air traffic controllers, who had been working without pay throughout the shutdown, are expected to return to work as well.
However, uncertainty looms over when full flight operations and paycheck distributions will resume. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had mandated flight restrictions at 40 major airports last week, and on Wednesday, it announced that flight cancellations would remain at 6% for Thursday, following two consecutive days of similar disruptions. As of Thursday afternoon, over 1,000 flights in the United States were canceled, while more than 2,000 faced delays according to FlightAware data. The number of cancellations on Wednesday had dropped to 900—the lowest since the enforced FAA reductions commenced.
Authorities have indicated that not all flight disruptions are directly tied to staffing shortages, though ongoing staffing issues continue to challenge the aviation sector.
In a press briefing on Thursday, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revealed that certain Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) who demonstrated exceptional service during the shutdown would receive $10,000 bonuses. While it remains unclear how many TSOs will benefit from these bonuses, Noem recognized several employees for their dedication, stating that they not only maintained security protocols but also went above and beyond by taking extra shifts and assisting colleagues.
Airlines have communicated their readiness to resume standard operations as soon as they receive all necessary approvals from the FAA, including the lifting of operational restrictions. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted that as air traffic controllers resume their duties and receive back pay, the FAA will closely monitor staffing levels to ensure safety and operational efficiency.
American Airlines confirmed its eagerness to reinstate its regular flight schedule, acknowledging that it may take a few days for air traffic control operations to stabilize. Delta’s CEO Ed Bastian expressed optimism that services would normalize by the weekend, while Southwest Airlines also conveyed hope regarding the swift resumption of regular operations.
Fortunately, concerns about the upcoming Thanksgiving travel week—during which an estimated 31 million Americans are expected to fly—are being alleviated. Airlines are now prepared to manage the projected travel volume sooner than initially anticipated.
Despite the positive developments, underlying staffing shortages remain a critical issue in air traffic control nationwide, with the industry still requiring over 3,000 controllers to bridge staffing gaps. Garld Graves, a retired air traffic controller with nearly three decades of experience, emphasized that improvements in staffing and operational protocols should have been implemented long before the shutdown. He expressed hopes that the FAA and relevant authorities would continue to advocate for better staffing conditions moving forward.
The trade association Airlines for America similarly urged Congress to ensure that future funding does not jeopardize the aviation sector in political negotiations. They highlighted that the FAA’s Airport and Airway Trust Fund currently holds $5 billion, which could be allocated to support air traffic controllers during potential future shutdowns.
As staffing levels improve, the aviation industry conveys a strong desire to return to normal operations in the days ahead, signaling a hopeful step toward stability for both airlines and travelers.