The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Sunday that it will lift the flight reduction order at 40 major U.S. airports, effective 6 a.m. ET on Monday, following improvements in air traffic control staffing after the federal government shutdown.

The mandate, which had required airlines to cut up to six percent of domestic flights at those airports, was issued amid mounting safety concerns during the 43-day shutdown.

Air traffic controller call-outs declined significantly in recent days, prompting the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the FAA to conclude that the system had recovered sufficiently to restore normal schedules.

“Today’s decision to rescind the order reflects the steady decline in staffing concerns,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said.

The cuts had been stepped down from a planned ten percent maximum, as backlog of delayed flights and cancellations—numbering over ten thousand since early November—began to ease.

Earlier this week, the DOT lowered the reduction ceiling to three percent, then moved to full resumption of operations.

Affected airports included key hubs across the country, such as New York’s John F. Kennedy, Los Angeles International and Chicago O’Hare.

Airlines expect operations to return to full capacity ahead of the busy Thanksgiving travel period, although the FAA will continue monitoring for delayed rip-through effects from the shutdown-era backlog.

The restoration marks a milestone in stabilising U.S. air travel after one of the most severe operational disruptions in decades.

The policy change also alleviates pressure on airlines, airports and travellers as flight schedules realign.