The Transportation Department's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Wednesday halted plans to deepen flight reductions at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports, citing improved staffing conditions among air traffic controllers as the government shutdown nears an end.

The agency said it will keep the 6 percent reduction in place rather than raising it to 8 percent on Thursday and Friday as previously scheduled.

Newsweek reached out to the White House via email on Wednesday night for comment.

Why It Matters

The directive affects tens of thousands of travelers and the operations of major airlines, particularly as the holiday travel season approaches.

The original order, prompted by air traffic control staffing shortages, underscores the vulnerability of the national airspace system

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