The US FAA again this year will have temporary access to certain restricted military airspace zones to ease an expected glut of travel during the Thanksgiving holiday week.
Beginning 06:00 am EST on 23 November, a day earlier than in previous years, air traffic controllers will gain access to normally restricted military airspace off the east coast of the US above 24,000ft (7,315m), where the FAA has developed dedicated routes.
In combination with the normal inland routes, the FAA says the expanded options will "ease delays during one of the busiest travel periods of the year, saving time and money for passengers and airlines while reducing fuel burn".
Other military areas opened to civilian transit during the period include airspace over the Gulf of Mexico and airspace over the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
Restrictions will go back into effect starting 06:00 am EST on 29 November.
The FAA expects the busiest travel days to be 23-24 November and 28 November.
"We want to do everything we can to make it easier for people to travel so they can spend Thanksgiving with their loved ones," says US Department of Transportation secretary Ray LaHood. "We appreciate the military's help in making this happen."
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
