FAA ends flight limits at 40 airports after shutdown staffing recovery
FAA announced an end to emergency flight restrictions at 40 airports as airport staffing rebounds.
- The longest government shutdown in history has ended, and flight operations have returned to normal.
- Airlines and airports are preparing for a record number of holiday travelers.
- Experts anticipate that travel disruptions, a trend reinforced by the shutdown, will continue through the holiday season.
The longest government shutdown in history is over and flights are back to normal at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration lifted flight capacity reductions that were mandated because of air traffic controller shortages. Sky Harbor, which experienced ground delays and general aviation restrictions from the shortages, was one of the airports where the capacity reductions were enacted.
Air travel’s return to normalcy is coinciding with the Thanksgiving travel season, and Christmas is a mere month away. With a record number of travelers expected to visit family and friends for Thanksgiving, some travelers might wonder if the shutdown’s impacts on travel will linger through the holidays.
Airlines and airports are working to ensure travelers’ experiences go as smoothly as possible, but disruptions could still happen. Here’s what Thanksgiving and Christmas travelers should know if they’re flying.
Will the government shutdown’s effects impact Thanksgiving travel?
While it’s mostly business as usual again at U.S. airports, the government shutdown reinforced a trend that air travel experts have observed that they expect will continue through Thanksgiving and Christmas: more frequent travel disruptions.
Issues that can disrupt flights, like severe weather and technical glitches, can happen at any time. And when they happen during holiday weekends, it can lead to extra-long wait times for boarding, takeoff and taxiing, said Eric Napoli, chief legal officer at the air passenger rights company AirHelp.
Napoli said he didn’t expect flights would automatically rebound from the shutdown impacts.
Days after the shutdown ended, the Federal Aviation Administration lifted the order that required flight capacity cuts at 40 airports, including Sky Harbor. That helped allow regular flight schedules to resume in time for one of the busiest times of year for air travel.
Are travelers changing their plans for the holidays because of the shutdown?
While the shutdown itself is over, the way it complicated air travel and contributed to economic uncertainty has made some air travelers reconsider their travel plans, Napoli said.
“There is the potential that people will be reluctant to book bigger, pricier and further trips this year,” Napoli said.
AAA, which estimates about 82 million Americans will travel for Thanksgiving, predicted that about 6 million people would fly for the holiday. But its outlook also said some air travelers could make other plans because of recent flight cancellations from the shutdown.
How can travelers avoid delays?
One way travelers can avoid disruptions when traveling depends on the time of day when they fly, something that the shutdown reinforced.
When Sky Harbor experienced ground delays from controller staffing shortages, flights scheduled for takeoff in the evening were more likely to be delayed the longest, according to FAA advisories.
Delays are more likely for later flights because they “bear the brunt of that day’s issues,” Napoli said.
“When one flight is delayed or when there are lines for taxiing or runways, a domino effect can occur,” he said. “As such, delays can compound, impacting later flights more than those that are scheduled for first thing in the morning.”
How are airlines preparing for holiday travel?
At Sky Harbor, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines ― the two airlines responsible for the airport’s most flights ― are getting ready for the holiday rush after restoring normal operations following the shutdown.
American expects to operate just under 81,000 flights between Nov. 20 and Dec. 2. These include special late-night flights on Sunday, Nov. 30, between Phoenix and Chicago via O’Hare International Airport that were added to help passengers returning from their travels. The Sunday after Thanksgiving is historically the busiest travel day of the holiday weekend.
American’s team touted strong operational performance during the period of the FAA’s mandated flight cuts as evidence that it’s ready to serve passengers for their Thanksgiving travel needs.
“Customers making last-minute holiday plans ― and those who booked months ago ― can rest assured that our operation will run smoothly and safely,” David Seymour, American’s chief operating officer, said in a statement.
Southwest’s staff said it is improving flyers’ experience over the holidays with new amenities and network planning designing to match capacity with demand.
It’s offering digital bag checks, allowing passengers to check and pay for up to three bags before arriving at the airport. The airline is also expanding its participation in TSA PreCheck Touchless ID to five new airports, but it’s not yet available in Phoenix.
Southwest estimates that it will operate more than 4,400 flights on Sunday, Nov. 30, including 21 unique routes operating only on that day.
Sky Harbor offers tips for Thanksgiving flyers
While Sky Harbor does not forecast holiday passenger traffic in advance, airport staff are expecting a higher volume of travelers this time of year.
November and December are typically among the busiest months at Sky Harbor, with about 4.4 million and 4.7 million passengers in 2024, respectively, according to the airport’s passenger traffic data. (Phoenix typically gets more travelers during spring break, peaking in March.)
Sky Harbor spokesperson Monica Hernandez shared these tips for a less stressful airport experience over the holiday weekend:
- Passengers and people picking up family and friends from the airport should check their flight status with their airline before arriving at the airport.
- Domestic travelers should allow at least two hours before their flight is scheduled to depart. International travelers should allow at least three hours.
- To avoid congestion on roadways and terminal curbs, Sky Harbor staff recommends that people picking up and dropping off passengers use the PHX Sky Train stations. There’s one on the airport’s west side at 24th Street and Buckeye Road, and one on the east side at 44th and Washington streets. Passengers can ride the free Sky Train to travel to and from the terminals.
- If you’re picking someone up, wait in one of the free cell-phone lots at Sky Harbor instead of driving laps around the terminals. Cell-phone lots are located west of the West Economy Garage and at the 44th Street Sky Train Station.
- Those looking to get through security fast can consider the airport’s free PHX Reserve program, where guests can reserve a place in the TSA line. Reservations can be made up to six days in advance. You can also check security wait times online.
- Make sure you are allowed to bring your items before packing them, reviewing the TSA’s “What Can I Bring?” page for guidance. Some TSA changes this year include restrictions on power banks and portable chargers and cordless curling irons, which can no longer fly in checked luggage but are allowed in carry-ons.
- The airport’s Compassion Cacti lanyard program is available for travelers with special needs and their caregivers. Wearing the lanyard signals to airport staff that the traveler needs extra time and assistance.
Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com.
