What's happening
According to previous Community Impact reporting, "high-impact airports" such as IAH and HOU were ordered in early November to cut flights by 10% in response to air traffic controller shortages due to the federal government shutdown, which ended Nov. 12. Federal employees, including air traffic controllers and some pilots, were not paid during this time.
The FAA safety team indicated a steady decline in staff-trigger events in air traffic control facilities, such as delays and cancellations, and recommended that normal operations resume across the National Airspace System, according to a Nov. 17 news release from the administration.
Staffing levels have continued to trend back to normal following the end of the shutdown, per the news release.
The FAA on Nov. 8 reported a record high of 81 staffing triggers—an alert of insufficient staffing at an air traffic control facility—according to the release. However, that number was down to eight alerts Nov. 15 and only one on Nov. 16, aligning with staffing conditions before the government shutdown, per the release.
"Today's decision to rescind the order reflects the steady decline in staffing concerns across the NAS and allows us to return to normal operations," FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said in a Nov. 17 statement. "I am grateful for the hard work of the FAA safety and operations teams and for their focus on the safety of the traveling public."
In case you missed it
The Houston Airport System also issued an advisory Nov. 2 about hours-long wait times for security at IAH and HOU due to the federal government shutdown, Community Impact previously reported. The advisory remains in place as of press time.
Find estimated wait times for IAH here and HOU here.
