FAA to Restrict Private Jet Flights at Major US Airports Amid Shutdown
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will effectively prohibit business aviation at twelve major U.S. airports starting today, November 10, 2025, as ongoing government shutdown conditions exacerbate air traffic controller shortages and disrupt travel.
The restrictions follow a recent order requiring commercial airlines to reduce their schedules to alleviate strain on air traffic controllers working without pay. While initial cuts only applied to commercial flights, the growing impact of staffing shortages has now extended to private aviation. Commercial airline flight reductions began yesterday with a 4% decrease, and are scheduled to rise to 10% by Friday. Over the weekend, more than 4,500 commercial flights were canceled and over 17,000 were delayed, according to FlightAware.
The affected airports include Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Denver International Airport (DEN), General Edward Lawrence 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), and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). This move aims to prioritize safety as the shutdown continues to impact the National Airspace System (NAS). The disruption comes at a critical time for holiday travel planning.
“Safety is the cornerstone of business aviation, and NBAA is fully committed to ensuring the safety of the NAS,” said National Business Aviation Association President and CEO Ed Bolen in a statement. “Among the ways we will do that is to ensure business aviation operators have an understanding of these restrictions and their implications.” The FAA has not yet issued a comment. You can find more information about the ongoing FAA shutdown contingency plan on their website.
Officials are awaiting finalization of a Senate solution to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
