The U.S. Department of Transportation has rescinded its emergency order mandating flight reductions across the nation, citing improved staffing levels of air traffic controllers. The decision comes after a 43-day government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, which saw a surge in absences among air traffic controllers. These essential workers were required to work without pay, leading to widespread flight delays and cancellations. To mitigate safety concerns, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had ordered airlines to reduce scheduled takeoffs starting November 7. With the shutdown now resolved, staffing levels have rebounded just in time for the busy Thanksgiving travel period. According to AAA, over 6 million Americans are expected to fly during the holiday, marking a 2% increase from last year. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the lifting of the emergency order, emphasizing the return of controllers to their posts and the resumption of normal operations. He also highlighted plans to accelerate controller hiring and modernize the air traffic control system. The shutdown had forced many controllers to seek secondary employment to compensate for lost wages, while those who remained on duty reported heightened stress and exhaustion. Airports struggled to maintain schedules, often relying on distant control towers to manage flights. The emergency order had called for a 10% reduction in domestic flights, resulting in thousands of cancellations and delays in early November. The FAA is now reviewing reports of non-compliance by airlines during the order and considering enforcement actions. Over the past weekend, flight disruptions due to staffing shortages dropped significantly, with only nine alerts issued compared to a record 81 on November 8. With the shutdown over, controllers are set to receive back pay, and the threat of termination for absences has been lifted.