WASHINGTON: US flight operations returned to normal on Monday after reductions imposed during a government shutdown were lifted, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said.
The agency announced on Sunday evening that restrictions would be lifted and normal operations can resume across the country from 6 am Washington time on Monday.
Thousands of flights had been cancelled due to understaffing during the shutdown, which stretched into a record 43 days.
About 10 per cent of domestic flights were cut at 40 of the busiest US airports due to a shortage of control tower staff, who were asked to work without pay as the budget stalemate dragged on.
The aviation industry was further strained after President Donald Trump threatened to dock pay for air traffic controllers who called in sick during the shutdown, accusing them of being unpatriotic.
Flights remained reduced by three per cent over the weekend despite the shutdown ending on Wednesday, with the FAA said some airlines had not complied with the restrictions.
“Now we can refocus our efforts on surging controller hiring and building the brand new, state of the art air traffic control system,” Transport Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement.
The easing of restrictions comes just days before a surge in passengers travelling ahead of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday on Nov 27. – AFP
