The FAA has ended an emergency flight-reduction order that had been in effect since Nov. 7.
The order was rescinded at 6 a.m. Eastern time on Nov. 17, allowing for airlines to resume normal operations at the 39 impacted commercial airports. FAA administrator Bryan Bedford said the decision reflects the "steady decline" in air traffic controller staffing concerns.
Controller staffing levels, the FAA said, continued to trend upward over the weekend, with staff shortages triggering just six airport delays on Friday, eight on Saturday and one on Sunday. That compares to 81 staffing triggers on Nov. 8, one day after the FAA's flight-reduction order went into effect.
The flight-reduction requirement began at 4%, before being raised to 6% on Nov. 11. The DOT did not provide data, but in imposing the cutbacks, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said there were safety concerns such as runway incursions and insufficient airspace separation as well as pilots' concern about overworked controllers. The limits were imposed as controllers were working without pay during the federal government shutdown.
Actual cancellation numbers surged well above the reduction requirements from Nov. 8 through Nov. 10, peaking at more than 10%, but slowed down beginning Nov. 11, after the Senate reached an agreement to end the shutdown.
The DOT reduced the flight-reduction requirement to 3%, effective Nov. 15. Low cancellation numbers over the weekend raised questions about whether airlines were continuing to comply with the order. According to a Cirium analysis, the cancellation rate over the two days was well below 1%, including 0.25% on Nov. 16.
The FAA said it is looking into the matter. "The FAA is aware of reports of noncompliance by carriers over the course of the emergency order. The agency is reviewing and assessing enforcement options."
Trade group Airlines for America declined to comment on it.
"We look forward to welcoming 31 million passengers -- a new record -- to flights during this year's Thanksgiving travel period, which begins this Friday, and to continue preparing for the busy shipping season," Airlines for America said in a statement.
The federal shutdown and the flight-reduction order had sparked concern about a chaotic Thanksgiving travel period. But airlines say that there is no longer cause for concern.
"Rest assured, our operations are running normally, and Delta people remain dedicated to safely delivering the premium, reliable experiences you expect -- the same qualities that carried us through even the most challenging times, including the longest government shutdown in history," Delta chief customer experience officer Erik Snell wrote in a letter to SkyMiles members.