A Guide for Holiday Travelers Using Asheville Regional Airport (AVL)
By Marge | Published 2025-11-13T18:31:21.479+00:00
News
Asheville -- November 13, 2025: The recent, historically long federal government shutdown has officially ended, but its residual effects—combined with a pre-existing national shortage of air traffic controllers—have created a complex and challenging environment for holiday air travel. While Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) itself has maintained relatively smooth operations, travelers must be prepared for potential ripple effects across the national system.
The Immediate Aftermath: National Flight ReductionsJust before the shutdown concluded, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was forced to impose flight capacity reductions at 40 of the nation's busiest airports. This proactive measure was taken to maintain safety standards and relieve pressure on air traffic controllers who were working under extreme stress and without pay.The Status Quo: As of this week, the FAA has directed airlines to maintain a 6% reduction in scheduled domestic flights