After a 43-day government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, air travel operations across the nation have largely recovered from disruptions caused by domestic flight cancellations and delays. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) canceled an emergency order that reduced air travel by 6% on Monday, allowing normal operations to resume.
The US Department of Transportation and FAA worked together to assess the system after last week’s cancellations of over 1,000 flights and nearly 2,500 delayed flights. Air traffic controllers returned to work after weeks without pay, and staffing levels have improved, with a record high of 81 triggers recorded on Nov. 8.
The longest shutdown also affected DFW Airport, the world’s third-busiest airport, where operations are recovering from lingering effects. Travelers can expect congested roads and increased traffic due to road construction, but experts say Texans are increasingly making travel plans early, allowing for more time to reach terminals.
According to AAA, nearly 82 million Americans are expected to travel around the Thanksgiving holiday, with most traveling by vehicle or air. The state average price for gasoline is $2.638 per gallon, up slightly from last year’s price of $2.655.
Source: https://fortworthreport.org/2025/11/18/dfw-airport-travel-ramps-up-ahead-of-holidays-as-flight-reductions-end