Air Travel Clears Up, but Holiday Weather Might Not

The runway is clear, but the skies are far from calm. With the emergency flight cuts now lifted nationwide, travelers are gearing up for a smoother departure. At the same time, meteorologists are watching storm systems that could bring messy holiday weather from coast to coast.

Why Flights Were Cut to Begin With

The trouble started back in October when the government shutdown pushed air traffic controllers to work without pay. Many began missing shifts, others tried to balance second jobs, and fatigue spread across the system. With fewer controllers in the tower, airports struggled to keep flights moving on schedule. Delays piled up, flights were grounded, and by November 7, the FAA had no choice but to order airlines to scale back takeoffs to protect safety.

In just a matter of days, airports were calling on remote control towers to help keep planes moving. It was a clear sign that the system was stretched thin right as the Thanksgiving travel rush was taking shape.