Boston Logan Airport Back at Full Strength: Runway 9/27 Reopens as Government Shutdown Ends
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BOSTON - Boston's Logan International Airport is breathing a sigh of relief this week as two major challenges that crippled operations throughout the fall have finally been resolved. The reopening of the airport's busiest runway on Friday, combined with the end of the historic 43-day government shutdown, signals a return to full capacity for New England's aviation hub.
Runway 9/27 Back in Service
The airport's busiest runway reopened on Friday after a 75-day closure for critical safety upgrades. The $110 million project installed an Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS) at the end of Runway 27 — a sophisticated safety feature designed to prevent aircraft disasters.
The EMAS uses crushable concrete material, similar to a runaway truck ramp on a highway, to safely slow down aircraft that overshoot or undershoot the runway. The system is being built on a 650-foot extension that extends over Boston Harbor on pilings, a unique engineering challenge given Logan's waterfront location.
"We hope we never have to use this; however, we have seen in the past in other airports it has been used to safely arrest aircraft," said Sara Dennechuk, Deputy Director of Airfield Projects at Massport, in a recent interview.
The Impact of Construction
The closure had significant operational consequences for one of the nation's busiest airports. During typical afternoon peak times, Logan averages 50 to 55 flights per hour, but the loss of Runway 9/27 reduced that capacity to approximately 40 flights per hour.
Runway 9-27 is used in every wind configuration, making it essential to Logan's operations. Without it, flights were pushed into subsequent hours, causing cascading delays throughout the day, particularly during afternoon and evening peak travel times.
The construction project required two 75-day closures total. The first closure began on September 2, 2025, and concluded this week, while the second closure is scheduled to begin after July 1, 2026.
Government Shutdown Compounds Challenges
Just as travelers were adjusting to runway-related delays, the airport faced an even more serious challenge. On October 1, 2025, the federal government entered a shutdown that would become the longest in U.S. history, lasting 43 days.
The shutdown forced air traffic controllers to work without pay for over a month. Kevin Curtiss, an air traffic controller and New England Regional Vice President of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, reported that controllers were already overworked and understaffed before the shutdown, with many living paycheck-to-paycheck.
By early November, the situation had become critical. The Federal Aviation Administration ordered Boston Logan and 39 other major airports nationwide to cut flights by 10% to ease pressure on unpaid air traffic controllers. The cuts started at 4% on November 8 and were scheduled to increase progressively.
The Perfect Storm
The combination of runway construction and government shutdown flight reductions created unprecedented disruptions at Logan. According to flight tracking data:
- On Friday, November 8, Logan experienced 241 delays and 43 cancellations
- By Monday, November 11, delays peaked at 534 with 163 cancellations
- On Tuesday, November 12, there were 87 cancellations at Logan
Passengers faced mounting frustration as they navigated the chaos. Rebecca Morris of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, told reporters she had to proactively check flight statuses and switch from American to Delta after her original flight was canceled.
"It's just terrible. I feel like the American people are being held hostage right now," said Cindy Handler, one of many travelers caught in the disruption.
The Road to Recovery
Relief finally came this week on multiple fronts. President Donald Trump signed a funding bill late Wednesday night, November 12, officially ending the shutdown. The FAA announced it would freeze flight reductions at the 6% level and gradually return to normal operations.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that air traffic controllers would receive a lump sum payment equal to 70% of their back pay within 48 hours of the shutdown ending.
The timing proved fortuitous, as Runway 9/27 reopened on Friday, November 15 — just days after the government reopened. Massport's director of media relations, Jennifer Mehigan, confirmed the runway's reopening on Sunday to the Boston Globe.
Looking Ahead
While both crises have been resolved, aviation experts warn that recovery won't be instantaneous. Airlines had to adjust their schedules to accommodate the flight reductions, and those changes can take time to reverse.
"This is not a switch on, switch off situation," aviation analyst Robert Mann Jr. told the Boston Globe. Airlines need to reposition aircraft and crew members, a process that could take several days.
However, with Runway 9/27 back in operation and air traffic controllers returning to full staffing, Logan is positioned to handle the upcoming Thanksgiving travel rush — one of the busiest periods of the year. Massport officials are urging travelers to check with their airlines before heading to the airport, as operations normalize.
The dual resolution marks a turning point for Boston Logan after what may have been the most challenging two-month period in the airport's history. With its busiest runway operational and air traffic control fully staffed, New England's premier airport is finally back at full strength.
Travelers are advised to continue monitoring flight statuses and arrive early for flights as operations return to normal levels.