By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Federal Aviation Administration late Sunday said it would end mandated cuts in domestic flights at 40 major U.S. airports effective at 6 a.m. ET (1000 GMT) Monday, easing restrictions that had been imposed over air traffic control concerns during the federal shutdown.

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the decision “reflects the steady decline in staffing concerns.” The FAA also removed restrictions on space launches and general aviation flights at some airports.

Airlines had been expecting the move. Several major airlines told Reuters on condition of anonymity that they had not canceled any flights for Monday and were not planning to do so.

Airlines for America, a trade group representing American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lin

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