The Federal Aviation Administration said on Sunday (November 16, 2025) it is lifting all restrictions on commercial flights that were imposed at 40 major airports during the country's longest government shutdown .

Airlines can resume their regular flight schedules beginning on Monday at 6 a.m. EST, the agency said.

The announcement was made in a joint statement by Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford.

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. It had been in place since Nov. 7, affecting thousands of flights across the country.

Impacted airports included large hubs in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Atlanta.

The f

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