Air traffic controllers and TSA agents are getting paid again, and the Federal Aviation Administration is confident that it “is ready to get more than 360,000 flights to their destinations” for the Thanksgiving travel period. But Americans should be prepared for long lines and crowded terminals as the FAA expects the busiest Thanksgiving travel week since 2010.

Tuesday, November 25, will be the busiest travel day before Thanksgiving, with 52,185 forecasted flights, the FAA said on Friday. Sunday, November 30, will be the busiest travel day after the holiday, with 51,268 forecasted flights. Some storm systems could also affect air travel. Forecasts call for rain in the Northeast, while wind and rain could move into the Great Lakes region and Seattle around Thanksgiving Day, according to the FAA.

A total of 82 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from their homes for the Thanksgiving holiday, which is an increase of 1.6 million travelers compared to last Thanksgiving, according to AAA. Seventy-three million Americans are expected to travel by car for the holiday, while six million Americans are expected to travel by air.

The busy travel week comes as the airline industry seeks to get back into a normal rhythm after the record-breaking 43-day government shutdown caused numerous disruptions. On Monday, the FAA lifted its temporary flight restrictions that affected 40 of the busiest airports in the country, and normal operations resumed.

“Thanks to the dedication of our air traffic controllers and every FAA employee, we are ready for the holiday rush and take pride in helping travelers reach their friends and families during this important time of year,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “I am deeply grateful to our entire FAA team. Even through a period of record-high traffic, their unwavering commitment keeps the system running safely.”

FAA

The government shutdown resulted in an air traffic controller shortage as many controllers called in sick to either stay home or look for other work as they missed paychecks. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Thursday that 776 air traffic controllers and technicians who remained on the job and showed up to work every day during the government shutdown received $10,000 bonus checks.

“President Trump wanted to give air traffic controllers and technicians BONUSES for showing up to work EVERY DAY during the government shutdown… and TODAY IS THE DAY!” Duffy wrote. “776 patriotic men and women will get $10K checks, just in time for Christmas. God bless the patriots of our skies!”

The FAA also kicked off a new campaign on airport civility this week ahead of the holiday travel season.

“People dress up like they’re going to bed when they fly,” Duffy said. “We want to push people as we come into a really busy travel season, help people out, be in a good mood, dress up.”

Vice President JD Vance talked with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for around an hour on Friday as the two leaders discussed President Donald Trump’s newly crafted 28-point plan to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.

The call, which also included U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, marked the first time that Zelensky spoke directly with the White House since Trump unveiled his new peace plan. While he did not address any specifics of the plan, Zelensky suggested that his country is ready to get to work on negotiations.

“We managed to cover a lot of details of the American side’s proposals for ending the war, and we’re working to make the path forward dignified and truly effective for achieving a lasting peace,” Zelensky said. “I’m grateful for the attention and willingness to work together with us and our partners. We agreed to work together with the U.S. and Europe at the level of national security advisors to make the path to peace truly doable.”

“Ukraine has always respected and continues to respect U.S. President Donald Trump’s desire to put an end to the bloodshed, and we view every realistic proposal positively,” Zelensky added. “We agreed to maintain constant contact, and our teams are ready to work 24/7. Thank you!”

Under the reported details of Trump’s plan, Ukraine would be forced to give up Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk, and parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, Axios reported. Ukraine would also commit to never joining NATO and limiting its standing military in exchange for security guarantees from the United States. Both Russia and Ukraine would receive amnesty for crimes they committed during the war, and all military and civilian prisoners would be returned to their respective sides.

After details of the plan were reported, multiple European leaders committed to pursuing a peace plan that guarantees Ukraine’s sovereignty.

“Ukraine can count on us,” said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. “Together with [French President Emmanuel Macron] and [British Prime Minister Keir Starmer], I reaffirmed our full support to [Zelensky]. We will coordinate closely with Europe and the US, whose commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty we welcome. The contact line must remain the basis for any talks.”

The Russia-Ukraine plan mirrors President Trump’s ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas that is monitored by Trump’s Peace Council. A senior U.S. official told The Daily Wire on Thursday that Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff has been “quietly working” on the Russia-Ukraine plan for a month, “receiving input from both the Ukrainians and the Russians on what terms are acceptable to them to end the war.”

The call between Vance and Zelensky comes following months of talks between the Trump administration, Russia, and Ukraine, with little progress being made. In February, Trump, Vance, and Zelensky got into a heated back-and-forth in the Oval Office, part of which included the vice president scolding Zelensky for attacking “the administration that is trying to prevent the destruction of your country.”

The war is nearing the four-year mark, and President Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, who has ramped up his aggression in recent months. Earlier this week, a Russian missile and drone attack in Ternopil, Ukraine, killed 26 people, including three children, according to Ukrainian officials.