Capacity is to be opened up at Newark airport from October 30.
From that date, the Federal Aviation Administration will allow the airport to run more than the current 81 operations an hour.
This limit was temporarily imposed in 2008 to reduce congestion and delays and amid concerns about a spillover effect from limited operations at New York JFK.
But the FAA said it had now decided to ease restrictions following improvements in Newark’s punctuality and in light of plans for a runway reconstruction at JFK in 2017 and 2018.
"The significant improvements in on-time performance and delays at Newark allowed us to make these changes," said FAA administrator Michael Huerta.
"This change will improve access to some of the most in-demand airspace in the country and has the potential to provide more options for local consumers. We also recognize the demand for changes at JFK, and are open to considering capacity changes there when the planned runway construction is finished."
The FAA said the decision means some Newark flights can be retimed to avoid late night and early morning schedules.
Airlines are invited to submit applications for new winter schedules from this month.
