FAA lifts all shutdown-related flight restrictions. What’s the outlook for holiday travel?

KEY POINTS

All FAA shutdown-related flight restrictions ended Monday at 6 a.m. EST, lifting a 4% flight reduction across 40 major airports and other operational limits.

Many airlines ignored the mandated cuts — canceling fewer flights than normal — prompting the FAA to review potential enforcement actions and fines.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy shifted focus to a $31.5 billion air-traffic control modernization effort, with Congress approving $12.5 billion so far.

As of Monday morning at 6 a.m. EST, all shutdown-related restrictions were terminated across the U.S., and normal operations ordered to resume across the National Airspace System.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Bryan Bedford made the announcement Sunday. The cuts