U.S Plans to Roll Back Flight Reductions Within a Week After Shutdown Ends

The U.S. government plans to begin rolling back flight reductions at major airports nationwide within a week after the shutdown ends provided safety conditions support the move, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Wednesday.

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“It all depends on how quickly air traffic controllers return to work and whether we see improvements in the data,” Duffy told reporters during an event in Liberty, North Carolina. “My hope is that if the government reopens today, we’ll be in a position within a week to start easing those flight restrictions.”

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The U.S. House of Representatives is preparing to vote on legislation that would reopen the government as soon as Wednesday. Once passed, the bill will head to President Donald Trump, who has already signaled his support for the agreement cleared by the Senate earlier this week.

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Last week, the Transportation Department and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) directed airlines to reduce domestic flight capacity at 40 major airports across the country. The cuts began at 4% and were expected to increase to 10% by Friday.

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According to Duffy, restoring normal flight operations won’t happen immediately once the government reopens. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that air traffic controllers many of whom have been absent during the shutdown return to their posts before any restrictions are lifted. “We have to be confident that the safety data we’re seeing is trending in the right direction before we move forward,” he said.

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The FAA and Transportation Department based their decision to limit flights on a range of safety indicators, including reports from pilots about air traffic controller responsiveness. Those reports suggested that staffing shortages and reduced operational efficiency posed risks to flight safety.

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Duffy noted that the government continues to monitor those safety metrics closely and will not rush the reopening process without evidence of improvement. “We’ll share additional data and risk assessments with airlines and members of Congress at some point soon,” he told reporters.

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The reduction in flight schedules has strained both passengers and airlines, leading to longer wait times, canceled flights, and disruptions across major hubs. Airline executives, frustrated by the lack of transparency around the FAA’s decision, reportedly pressed federal officials last week for more detailed information on the underlying safety data before the order was officially released, according to Bloomberg.

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Industry analysts have pointed out that while the temporary reductions were necessary to ensure safe operations, the broader economic cost has been significant. Each day of reduced capacity translates into lost revenue for airlines and inconvenience for travelers, particularly during the busy holiday season. The quick restoration of normal flight volumes will depend heavily on how quickly the FAA can verify safety improvements and rebuild staffing levels across air traffic control centers.

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Duffy’s comments suggest that the government is eager to move quickly but responsibly once the shutdown officially ends. He emphasized that safety remains the top priority, even as pressure mounts from airlines and passengers to resume full operations. “We all want to get the system back to normal, but we can’t cut corners when it comes to aviation safety,” he said.

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The FAA’s data-driven approach reflects lessons learned from past disruptions, where hasty reopenings led to operational challenges and safety incidents. By taking a measured approach this time, Duffy hopes to restore confidence in the nation’s air traffic system and ensure that future disruptions whether caused by budget impasses or other crises can be managed more effectively.

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For now, airlines are bracing for at least several more days of reduced operations, though many have already begun preparing to ramp up once the restrictions are lifted. Some carriers have indicated they could resume full schedules within 48 hours of receiving clearance from the FAA, provided staffing levels are adequate.

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As the government nears reopening, the aviation industry is watching closely for updates from the Transportation Department. The coming week will be critical in determining whether normal flight operations can safely resume, marking another key test of the nation’s ability to balance efficiency with safety amid political and logistical turbulence.

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