Source: Supply Chain Dive
Date: 19th November 2025

Return to normal operations highlights minimal disruption to cargo networks despite temporary nationwide flight restrictions.

The Federal Aviation Administration has officially lifted its air traffic reduction mandate, restoring normal flight operations across the United States. The initial order required 40 major airports to reduce traffic by up to 10% due to staffing shortages driven by a government shutdown. As conditions improved, the FAA progressively scaled back the cuts to 6% and then 3% before fully rescinding them. With staffing stabilising across the National Airspace System, the agency confirmed that operations could safely return to normal.

Despite the reductions, the impact on air cargo remained minimal. Industry advisors noted that the most significant disruptions were felt by passenger flights, particularly those operated by smaller regional carriers whose aircraft generally do not carry meaningful cargo volumes. In contrast, the larger U.S. airlines responsible for the majority of domestic cargo lift were able to prioritise their hub-to-hub and high-capacity routes, preserving most of the cargo network’s integrity.

Major express carriers also demonstrated strong resilience. For example, adjusted its operations to mitigate potential delays and benefited from the fact that many of its flights operate overnight, outside the FAA’s restricted 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. window. Network flexibility and proactive coordination with forwarders helped ensure cargo continuity even as passenger operations saw notable cancellations.

Some disruptions to cargo movement did occur, but they were unrelated to the FAA order. Severe winter weather slowed flows at key hubs, and both UPS and FedEx temporarily grounded portions of their fleets following a tragic crash involving a cargo aircraft earlier in the month. However, these challenges aligned with typical seasonal or operational risks, rather than the traffic reduction directive.

Overall, while passenger travel experienced more significant strain, the U.S. air cargo network remained robust throughout the temporary restrictions. The ability of carriers, integrators, and forwarders to rapidly adjust schedules and routing helped ensure that critical shipments continued to move with limited interruption.

Shippers experienced little disruption, as core air cargo services continued to operate largely at normal capacity. Cargo carriers protected their primary domestic and international routes, preserving service reliability. While some weather-related delays occurred, these were short-term and not tied to regulatory actions. For most shippers, transit times and uplift availability remained stable throughout the period.

Importers dependent on air freight saw no significant or sustained impact on delivery timelines or costs. Overnight flights, which move a substantial portion of time-sensitive imports, were not subject to FAA restrictions. As a result, import flow continuity remained intact, supporting predictable landed costs and inventory planning.

Exporters relying on air freight maintained consistent access to uplifts and global connections. The resilience of integrators and major airlines ensured outbound cargo was not affected by capacity cuts. Exporters may still face typical seasonal challenges such as weather delays, but no structural or policy-driven effects are anticipated following the FAA’s return to normal operations.