FAA Bars Most Private Jets From 12 Major U.S. Airports as Staffing Shortages Deepen

WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration will temporarily block most business aircraft from operating at 12 of the nation’s busiest airports starting Monday, a move intended to relieve mounting pressure on air traffic control facilities that have been understaffed during the ongoing federal government shutdown.

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) said the agency’s action “effectively prohibits business aviation” at the selected locations, limiting arrival and departure slots for private operators until further notice. Commercial carriers had already been ordered to pare back flying schedules last week, but the new limits extend the operational squeeze to corporate and charter flights that had largely been exempt.

Air traffic controllers, considered essential federal employees, have continued to work without pay and in reduced numbers since the lapse in government funding began. According to the NBAA, the FAA determined that private jet activity must be curtailed to preserve safety margins in the National Airspace System while available staffing remains below normal levels.

The 12 affected airports are:

• Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
• Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• Denver International Airport (DEN)
• General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport, Boston (BOS)
• George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston (IAH)
• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York (JFK)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
• Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

Last Friday, U.S. airlines began implementing a 4 percent reduction in scheduled flights under White House direction. That cap is scheduled to increase to 10 percent by the coming Friday. The step was designed to lessen traffic volume for controllers already handling extended shifts without regular paychecks.

Industry data underscore the operational disruption. Flight tracking firm FlightAware reported that more than 4,500 commercial flights were canceled nationwide over the weekend, while delays exceeded 17,000. Airlines have been juggling crew assignments and aircraft rotations as traffic management initiatives, ground stops, and reroutes multiplied across the network.

NBAA President and Chief Executive Officer Ed Bolen said in a statement that safety remains the top priority for business aviation operators and that the association is working to ensure its members understand the scope and practical effect of the new restrictions. The FAA did not immediately provide comment on the measure or indicate how long it might remain in force.

The restrictions come as lawmakers signal movement toward resolving what is now the longest U.S. government shutdown on record. Late Sunday, negotiators in the Senate reported progress toward a funding agreement, though a final deal had yet to be announced. Until appropriations are restored, thousands of FAA employees, including safety inspectors and administrative personnel, remain furloughed.

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Business aviation groups had previously urged the administration and Congress to prioritize the reopening of the agency, warning that prolonged controller shortages could erode the reliability of both commercial and general aviation services. The FAA normally staffs roughly 10,500 certified professional controllers, according to a fiscal year 2023 report published by the FAA; union officials say available head-count is currently well below that target.

For the airports named in Monday’s order, private operators will need to seek alternative fields or adjust travel dates. Large hubs such as Atlanta, Chicago, and Los Angeles routinely accommodate charter flights for corporate travelers, sports teams, and high-net-worth individuals. Nearby reliever airports—including Dallas Love Field, Teterboro in New Jersey, and Van Nuys in California—may experience increased demand as operators divert traffic away from the restricted hubs.

Commercial airlines are continuing to review schedules in line with the phased reduction directives. Carriers have so far concentrated cuts on off-peak frequencies and routes with multiple daily flights to limit passenger inconvenience. Even so, ripple effects have emerged as downstream aircraft positioning and crew rest requirements force broader itinerary changes.

Meanwhile, cargo operators have voiced concern that additional limits could hamper overnight freight networks. Although not specifically targeted in the FAA’s private-jet directive, express carriers rely on the same air traffic infrastructure and could face cascading delays if controller availability deteriorates further.

The timing of the decision—just ahead of the busy Presidents Day travel period in February—adds urgency for policymakers seeking a budget agreement. Should the shutdown persist, aviation groups warn that the cumulative effect on staffing, training pipelines, and flight operations could extend well beyond the immediate crisis.

Crédito da imagem: J. David Ake / Getty Images