With government funding restored, the Federal Aviation Administration announced late on November 13 that it will hold flight caps at 6 percent across 40 of the nation’s busiest airports instead of escalating to the previously planned 10 percent. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said improved air-traffic-controller attendance made deeper cuts unnecessary but warned the agency will review staffing daily.
The decision follows five days of unprecedented disruption triggered by the shutdown, during which more than 10,000 flights were canceled and 38,000 delayed as unpaid controllers called in sick. Although Wednesday saw only about 900 cancellations, airlines reported lingering crew and aircraft displacements. Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian told CBS News that he expects the system to be “close to normal” by the weekend and fully stabilized before the 31 million-passenger Thanksgiving rush.
![FAA Freezes Flight Reductions at 6 Percent; Airlines Rush to Normalize Schedules Ahead of Thanksgiving]()
For corporate travel programs, the freeze offers clarity—but also continued risk. Airlines will re-add frequencies gradually, prioritizing trans-continental business markets and high-yield international routes. Travel managers should monitor GDS schedule changes, re-issue waivers promptly, and prepare for surge pricing in the days leading up to Thanksgiving.
The FAA said it will accelerate hiring of 1,800 trainee controllers and extend mandatory overtime through December. Congress plans a Nov 19 hearing to examine the shutdown’s impact on aviation safety and the economy, signaling potential legislative fixes to shield the air-traffic system from future funding lapses.
Bottom line: Expect improving punctuality but limited spare capacity through month-end. Companies with time-sensitive travel should book refundable fares and consider private-charter contingencies until normal staffing levels are confirmed.
The decision follows five days of unprecedented disruption triggered by the shutdown, during which more than 10,000 flights were canceled and 38,000 delayed as unpaid controllers called in sick. Although Wednesday saw only about 900 cancellations, airlines reported lingering crew and aircraft displacements. Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian told CBS News that he expects the system to be “close to normal” by the weekend and fully stabilized before the 31 million-passenger Thanksgiving rush.
For corporate travel programs, the freeze offers clarity—but also continued risk. Airlines will re-add frequencies gradually, prioritizing trans-continental business markets and high-yield international routes. Travel managers should monitor GDS schedule changes, re-issue waivers promptly, and prepare for surge pricing in the days leading up to Thanksgiving.
The FAA said it will accelerate hiring of 1,800 trainee controllers and extend mandatory overtime through December. Congress plans a Nov 19 hearing to examine the shutdown’s impact on aviation safety and the economy, signaling potential legislative fixes to shield the air-traffic system from future funding lapses.
Bottom line: Expect improving punctuality but limited spare capacity through month-end. Companies with time-sensitive travel should book refundable fares and consider private-charter contingencies until normal staffing levels are confirmed.
