WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration issued emergency restrictions barring most general aviation and non-scheduled flights at a dozen of the nation’s busiest airports, citing staffing and safety concerns amid the ongoing government shutdown.
The new restrictions take effect November 10 and apply to Chicago O’Hare, Dallas Fort Worth, Denver, Boston Logan, Houston Bush Intercontinental, Atlanta, John F. Kennedy, Los Angeles International, Newark Liberty, Phoenix Sky Harbor, Washington National, and Seattle–Tacoma.
According to the FAA, the airports are among 40 facilities designated as “High Impact Airports” under an emergency order issued last week. The agency said controller shortages and rising fatigue have created “stress on the National Airspace System” that threatens the ability to maintain current traffic volumes.
The NOTAMs prohibit most private and non-scheduled operations, except for based aircraft, emergency and medical flights, law-enforcement, firefighting, military missions, or those specifically authorized by the FAA.
“Last week, restrictions were announced on all aviation operations, including general aviation operations, at 40 U.S. airports,” said Ed Bolen, president and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association. “Today, further restrictions were announced that will effectively prohibit business aviation operations at 12 of those airports, disproportionately impacting general aviation, an industry that creates more than a million jobs and supports humanitarian flights every day.”
Bolen urged lawmakers to resolve the standoff that has left air-traffic controllers working without pay since early October. “Above all, this moment underscores the need to reopen the government to serve all Americans,” he said. “NBAA stands with the rest of the aviation community in calling upon Congress to end the shutdown immediately, and for the NOTAMs to be repealed when the government reopens.”
Industry groups warned the restrictions could cause significant disruption for business aviation and charter operators, especially ahead of the holiday travel period. NATA, which represents fixed-base operators and charter companies, advised members to monitor NOTAMs, plan alternate airports, and anticipate delays while the order remains in effect.
The FAA said the limits will stay in place until staffing levels and system performance “return to a safe and sustainable level.”
