DIA Lifts All Shutdown Flight Restrictions as Travel Chaos Finally Ends

The longest government shutdown in our nation's history is over. Denver International Airport was one of 40 airports across the country that had reduced flights thanks to the shutdown.

Unpaid Air Traffic Controllers and DIA’s Struggle

Air traffic controllers had not been paid since October 1, and despite DIA asking for a waiver so they could pay out of pocket, the airport, like many others across the nation, limited and cancelled a ton of flights.

READ MORE: Learn More About How DIA Was Affected By the Government Shutdown

FAA Orders Lead to Thousands of Cancelled Flights

On November 9, 2,900 flights were cancelled dramatically because of an FAA order, Denver 7 reports. At the time, Denver International Airport cut ten percent of all of its flights.

Holiday Travel Chaos Begins to Clear

The week before Thanksgiving, one of the busiest times for air travel, the FAA announced it was lifting all flight restrictions due to the government shutdown. The FAA placed an order to limit flights starting on November 7, and it has been a nightmare for those who work in the airline industry as well as travelers.

Shutdown-Related Cancellations Officially End

In other words, the massive delays and cancellations are officially over due to the government being back in action. There are no more government shutdown-related cancellations.

READ MORE: Denver International Has High Rate of Cancellations, Here Is Why

DIA Still Faces High Cancellation Rates Year-Round

Denver International Airport will still have its problems with cancelled and delayed flights. The airport has one of the highest rates of cancelled flights worldwide, and in February of this year, a whopping 26 percent of flights were cancelled during that month.