The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered restrictions on business aviation operations at 12 major US airports as air traffic control staffing shortages drag on during the federal government shutdown, now in its sixth week.
The directive, effective on November 11, 2025, will bar most non-scheduled business and private flights at airports already facing capacity cuts for commercial carriers. The affected airports include Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Dallas Fort Worth (DFW), Denver (DEN), Boston Logan (BOS), Houston Bush Intercontinental (IAH), Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL), New York John F. Kennedy (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), Newark Liberty (EWR), Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX), Washington Reagan National (DCA) and Seattle-Tacoma (SEA).
The FAA’s move follows emergency measures announced last week requiring US airlines to reduce schedules at 40 high-volume airports by up to 10% to relieve pressure on air traffic controllers who have been working without pay. The first round of cuts — totaling about 4% — took effect on November 9 and are expected to rise to 10% if the shutdown continues.
According to flight-tracking provider FlightAware, more than 4,500 commercial flights were canceled and more than 17,000 delayed nationwide over the November 8-9 weekend as controller shortages slowed operations at major hubs.
In a statement, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) said the additional limits will “effectively prohibit business aviation operations” at the 12 airports and will disproportionately impact the general aviation sector, which supports more than one million US jobs and contributes roughly $340 billion to the economy each year.
“Safety is the cornerstone of business aviation,” NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said. “Among the ways we will ensure that safety is to make sure operators understand these restrictions and their implications. Above all, this moment underscores the need to reopen the government to serve all Americans.”
Under the order, exceptions will be allowed for based aircraft, emergency medical and law-enforcement flights, firefighting, and military operations, or when otherwise authorized by the FAA. Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) covering each affected airport were published ahead of the implementation deadline.
The new restrictions mark the first time in the shutdown that business jet operators have faced direct operational limits comparable to those imposed on airlines. Industry analysts note that eight of the 25 busiest business aviation airports in the country fall within the restricted group, forcing some corporate and charter operators to reroute to secondary airports around major cities.
The National Airspace System has come under mounting strain since the shutdown began, with certification activity paused, routine maintenance deferred, and staffing gaps widening at major control facilities. The FAA has said the temporary limits are intended to preserve safety and manage limited controller capacity until federal funding is restored.
Aviation groups and unions have joined a growing chorus urging lawmakers to resolve the impasse. NBAA said it is working with other industry organizations through the Modern Skies coalition to press Congress to end the shutdown immediately and repeal the flight restrictions once the government reopens.
There were signs of movement in Washington on November 9, as the Senate advanced bipartisan legislation to fund the government. If an agreement is reached, officials said the FAA would move quickly to rescind the NOTAMs and restore normal flight operations at the affected airports.
