The Federal Aviation Administration will halt most private jet operations at 12 of the nation's largest airports beginning Monday, the latest escalation of travel restrictions driven by a severe shortage of air traffic controllers during the prolonged government shutdown. The measures expand on prior directives that required commercial airlines to cut flight schedules, marking a broadening disruption now affecting both corporate aviation and passenger carriers.
The shutdown has stretched beyond 40 days, leaving thousands of air traffic controllers working without pay and prompting staffing shortages across the National Airspace System. More than 4,500 commercial flights were canceled over the weekend, and over 17,000 were delayed, according to data from FlightAware. Additional cuts to airline schedules are expected to rise from 4% to 10% by Friday unless federal funding is restored.
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), which represents private jet operators, said the new FAA order will "effectively prohibit business aviation" at 12 high-traffic airports. NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said in a statement, "Safety is the cornerstone of business aviation, and NBAA is fully committed to ensuring the safety of the NAS." Bolen added that the restrictions would "disproportionately impact general aviation, an industry that creates more than a million jobs, generates $340 billion in economic impact and supports humanitarian flights every day."
The FAA has not publicly commented on the decision. The agency has said exceptions may be granted for emergency medical flights, law enforcement operations, military missions, firefighting aircraft, and other critical-use cases.
Airports Where Private Jet Operations Are Restricted
The 12 affected airports include:
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
The restrictions strike at the core of business and entertainment travel networks. Airports such as LAX, JFK, and Newark serve as primary transit gateways for executives, investors, musicians, film industry personnel, and touring entertainers. The move also complicates logistics for major events; however, several smaller airports such as Teterboro in New Jersey, Westchester County Airport in New York, Burbank, and John Wayne Airport near Los Angeles remain open for private aviation-for now.
The NBAA cautioned that additional facilities may be subject to sudden restrictions, noting that 40 airports have been flagged by the FAA for ongoing staffing concerns.
