San Francisco International Unites Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Dallas, Miami and More Airports to Restore Normal Travel Operations across US, Finally Bringing Stability Back to the Skies

Published on November 19, 2025

After a week of severe disruptions, San Francisco International Airport is leading the charge in restoring normal travel operations across the United States. The FAA’s flight reduction order, which affected major airports such as Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Dallas, and Miami, has now been lifted, bringing much-needed relief to passengers. This order, implemented in response to staffing shortages and controller fatigue during the government shutdown, had caused widespread cancellations and delays. With the mandate now lifted, airports are gradually returning to their usual operations. San Francisco, along with other major hubs, is seeing smoother air traffic and fewer disruptions. This shift has brought stability back to the skies, just in time for the busy holiday season. Travellers can now expect more reliable flight schedules as these key airports, including San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago, recover from the effects of the temporary shutdown.

The Cause of the Flight Reductions: A Government Shutdown Crisis

In early November 2025, the aviation industry in the United States was hit by an unprecedented crisis when the FAA implemented flight reductions across 40 high-traffic airports. This decision was made in response to the air traffic controller fatigue that arose during the longest government shutdown in US history. The shutdown, lasting for 43 days, had forced federal employees, including air traffic controllers, to work without pay. Many controllers worked long hours of overtime, and some even took up second jobs to make ends meet.

With such a heavy workload and widespread dissatisfaction, many controllers began calling in sick or simply could not show up for work, resulting in a drastic shortage of air traffic controllers. The FAA took the extraordinary step of reducing flight operations by up to 10% in some of the country’s busiest airports, in an attempt to manage the increased risk to air safety. This affected 40 airports across the nation, causing cancellations, delays, and confusion for millions of passengers.

The FAA’s Flight Reduction Lift: A Sign of Recovery

On Sunday, 16th November 2025, the FAA made a key announcement that would signal the beginning of the end for these travel disruptions. The agency declared that it was lifting its temporary flight reduction mandate, effective from 6 AM on Monday, 17th November. According to the FAA, the decision was based on a thorough safety review and a noticeable decline in staffing-triggered events. These improvements, combined with a steady return to normal staffing levels, allowed for the resumption of regular flight schedules.

The decision came as a relief to many travellers and airlines, who had been dealing with constant uncertainty about their flights. With the lifting of the FAA’s restrictions, airports across the US were able to get back to full capacity, and air travel resumed with fewer disruptions.

Which Airports Were Affected by the Reduction?

The flight reductions primarily impacted 40 airports that were considered the most high-traffic and essential in the US aviation system. These included major hubs like San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), to name a few. These airports saw significant delays, cancellations, and rescheduled flights throughout the duration of the FAA’s reduction order.

Some of the most affected airports included:

1. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) – This major international airport was heavily impacted, with numerous cancellations and delays affecting both domestic and international flights.
2. Oakland International Airport (OAK) – As a key airport in the Bay Area, Oakland saw its fair share of disruptions, though it remained relatively smooth when compared to larger hubs like San Francisco International Airport.
3. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – With its vast network of international and domestic flights, LAX was one of the busiest airports affected by the reductions.
4. Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) – As one of the busiest airports in the world, O’Hare faced widespread delays and cancellations.
5. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) – This major airport in New York faced similar disruptions, with many international flights affected.

Alongside these airports, many others across the country saw similar disruptions as the FAA’s order trickled down to smaller airports, such as San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC). Although SJC wasn’t specifically mentioned in the official FAA list, the airport did experience delays due to cancelled incoming flights from other airports.

How Did the FAA’s Order Impact Airlines?

The flight reductions were not just a logistical nightmare for airports and passengers but also for airlines. With fewer air traffic controllers available, airlines were forced to adjust their schedules, often resulting in a cascade of cancelled flights, longer waiting times, and general uncertainty for travellers.

Despite these challenges, airlines worked hard to reassure passengers that they would continue to provide a high level of service once the FAA restrictions were lifted. Chris Perry, a spokesperson for Southwest Airlines, confirmed that the airline was operating with a full schedule by Monday morning. Other major airlines, such as Delta and United, followed suit, announcing that they too were returning to normal flight capacity. The airline executives expressed their gratitude for passengers’ patience during this challenging period and reassured them that everything would be back to normal, especially as the busy holiday season approached.

The Recovery Begins: What Does ‘Normal Operations’ Really Mean?

Now that the FAA has lifted its temporary flight reduction order, airports across the US are beginning to return to their pre-crisis operations. However, it’s important to understand what “normal operations” really means. While the restrictions are officially lifted, this doesn’t necessarily guarantee a smooth, uninterrupted travel experience for everyone. The FAA’s order was a direct response to staffing shortages, and while the situation has improved, airports and airlines still have some recovery to do. It’s important for travellers to understand that some lingering delays may occur, especially during periods of bad weather or peak travel times.

At San Francisco International Airport (SFO), for instance, Doug Yakel, the airport spokesperson, reported that by Monday afternoon, there had only been three cancellations, which is “very typical, especially on a rainy day.” The airport also experienced delays, with 145 flights delayed—approximately 12% of the daily traffic—though Yakel attributed these delays to the weather rather than the FAA’s restrictions.

At Oakland International Airport (OAK), no cancellations were reported on Sunday or Monday, and the airport had very few delays, suggesting that operations were running smoothly. Similarly, at San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC), there were no reported cancellations, and the airport confirmed that it had fully returned to normal operations.

Airlines and Airports: Working Together to Ensure Safe and Smooth Travel

Despite the challenges posed by the government shutdown and staffing shortages, airlines, airports, and federal agencies have worked together to ensure that the aviation system returns to normal. Julie Jarratt, the public information manager for SJC, expressed her gratitude to the TSA and FAA staff for their hard work during the shutdown, which had kept passengers safe despite the uncertainty.

Now, as the holiday season approaches, these efforts will be crucial in ensuring that passengers can travel without further disruptions. The Thanksgiving travel rush, in particular, will be an important test for the system, but with normal operations restored, the expectation is that travellers will have a smoother journey ahead.

What Does This Mean for the Future of US Air Travel?

The end of the flight reductions is a positive sign for the future of US air travel, but it also highlights some of the deeper issues facing the industry. Staffing shortages, particularly among air traffic controllers, have been a persistent issue for years, and the government shutdown only made these problems more apparent. As the US aviation system continues to recover, the FAA has promised to focus on increasing staffing levels and investing in new technologies to improve air traffic control.

Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy thanked the FAA’s safety team for ensuring that the skies remained secure during the shutdown and emphasized the importance of expanding air traffic controller hiring. The FAA also announced plans for a brand new, state-of-the-art air traffic control system, which will help ensure that similar disruptions do not occur in the future.

Conclusion: The Skies Are Opening Again

The lifting of the FAA’s flight reduction order marks a major step forward for US air travel. Although there were challenges along the way, the aviation system is now returning to normal, just in time for the holiday season. Airports like San Francisco, OAK, and others have resumed their normal schedules, and airlines are once again operating at full capacity. While some delays may still occur due to factors like weather, passengers can now expect fewer cancellations and a smoother travel experience. The recovery is well underway, and with improvements to staffing and air traffic control systems, the future of US air travel looks brighter than ever.

As airports and airlines work together to ensure a safe and efficient journey for all, one thing is certain—air travel in the United States is back on track.

Source: Records Bee