Aviation Operations Were Limited at 40 Major US Airports Amid Govt Shutdown

The FAA officially lifted its shutdown-related restrictions on general aviation access at 6 am on November 17, ending a turbulent couple of weeks for business aviation. The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) was the first to welcome the change, noting that GA users will finally be able to return to something resembling normal operations.

“NBAA is pleased the shutdown restrictions have been lifted and that the entire general aviation industry, including business aviation, will be able to serve as a vital link in our nation’s transportation system, and a powerful engine for our economy,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “We are grateful to all who have worked to ensure the safety and efficiency of the nation’s aviation system under extraordinary circumstances.”

The FAA originally imposed limits at 40 major airports, later tightening them further and effectively prohibiting business aviation operations at 12 of those fields. The result was a significant drag on GA: a segment that contributes over a million jobs and roughly $340 billion in economic activity, despite often being used as a punching bag when something in the industry goes awry.

By November 12, the FAA issued an amended order that froze operations at six percent of normal traffic. The agency gradually stepped down those limits as staffing and workload allowed, but not before major damage was done.

NBAA and other trade groups are now calling on Congress to pass a full-year DOT and FAA appropriations bill so the cycle doesn’t repeat itself next year. They are also requesting support for the Funding Stability Act of 2025, which would allow the FAA to access the Airport and Airway Trust Fund during future shutdowns instead of watching flight ops descend into chaos.

While the restrictions were in effect, NBAA pointed out several false narratives that diminished the true impact on general aviation. The organization released a “Just the Facts” document specifically addressing GA and business aircraft’s role in the FAA’s traffic management reductions, and that they, in some cases, faced stricter spacing requirements than the airlines.

The group continues encouraging operators to avoid the busiest commercial airports, use flexible routing, and maintain cooperative scheduling while the system resets.

FMI: www.nbaa.org