FAA Limits Private Jet Flights at 12 Airports Amid Shutdown

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced restrictions on private jet operations at 12 major US airports, citing a shortage of air traffic controllers linked to the ongoing government shutdown. The measure expands earlier limits placed on commercial airlines, underscoring the growing impact on the aviation sector.

According to the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), the FAA’s decision will “effectively prohibit business aviation” at affected airports, including Chicago O’Hare, Dallas Fort Worth, Los Angeles International, and Ronald Reagan Washington National. The restrictions follow mounting staffing shortages across air traffic control facilities, which have caused widespread disruptions in recent days.

Over the weekend, more than 4,500 commercial flights were canceled and more than 17,000 delayed, data from FlightAware showed. The disruptions came after the Trump administration’s directive last week requiring US airlines to reduce schedules by 4%, with cuts expected to reach 10% by the end of the week. The reductions aim to ease pressure on controllers working without pay during the shutdown.

NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said in a Nov. 10 statement that safety remains the organization’s top priority. “Safety is the cornerstone of business aviation, and NBAA is fully committed to ensuring the safety of the NAS,” Bolen said. “Among the ways we will do that is by ensuring business aviation operators understand these restrictions and their implications.”

While most business jet operators typically avoid the busiest commercial airports, the NBAA warned that the new limits could still disrupt corporate travel and logistics operations. The FAA has not yet indicated how long the restrictions will remain in place.

Industry members expressed cautious optimism after the Senate signaled progress toward ending the shutdown late on Nov. 9, though no final resolution has been reached. As the shutdown drags on, air travel delays and cancellations are expected to persist nationwide.

Air traffic controllers are among the government employees most directly affected. The FAA, part of the Department of Transportation, employs about 13,000 controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers — all deemed essential workers and required to continue working without pay. The resulting shortages and financial strain have created significant operational challenges across the aviation system.

Airlines warn that rebooking options remain limited as capacity tightens nationwide. Airlines for America, representing major US carriers, estimates that more than four million travelers have already been affected. The group projects the shutdown could cost the broader US economy nearly US$600 million per day as cancellations and delays continue.

Meanwhile, private jet demand has surged during the shutdown, according to Flexjet. CEO Andrew Collins told CNBC that aircraft use “spiked in October and has continued to spike,” with revenue flight hours up 42% in early November compared to last year, reflecting growing reliance on private travel amid commercial flight disruptions.