FAA Suspends Most Private Jet Flights at 12 Major U.S. Airports Amid Shutdown

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered an immediate halt to nearly all private jet operations at 12 of the nation’s busiest airports, effective midnight on November 9, 2025. The unprecedented move comes as the federal government shutdown continues to strain air traffic control staffing and disrupt U.S. aviation operations.

According to an email from the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), the new restrictions prohibit private jet departures and arrivals at key airports except for specific cases involving based aircraft, medical emergencies, law enforcement, firefighting, or military operations. The FAA retains authority to grant case-by-case exceptions.

The NBAA warned that “business aircraft operators should also prepare for further delays and restrictions at any of the 40 airports impacted by the emergency order issued last week, or affected by limited controller staffing.”

Private aviation companies have already begun experiencing significant disruptions. Solairus Aviation CEO Dan Drohan said in a LinkedIn post earlier Friday that the company’s fleet was facing mounting delays. “The Solairus fleet has been experiencing delays and complications – and that’s been over the weekend. Tomorrow will likely be much worse,” he wrote.

Airports Impacted by the FAA Private Jet Ban

The FAA restrictions affect the following 12 airports beginning at midnight:

Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
John F. Kennedy International Airport (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)

The FAA said the restrictions, which are being communicated through airport-specific NOTAMs, are necessary to manage limited controller availability during the government shutdown. The affected airports are major hubs for both commercial and private operations, often connecting domestic business travelers to international airline networks.

For instance, private flyers frequently use routes such as Flagstaff to Los Angeles (LAX) before continuing overseas on scheduled commercial flights. The new restrictions effectively ground that connectivity for the foreseeable future.

Broader Shutdown Fallout

The FAA’s latest measures follow earlier flight reductions at 40 major airports ordered last week, as hundreds of unpaid air traffic controllers have stopped reporting for work. Those cuts affected about 10% of scheduled flights and caused widespread delays nationwide.

The agency’s newest order extends the disruption to private aviation just as the U.S. Senate prepares to vote on legislation to end the shutdown, which has left controllers without pay since early October.

While commercial airlines remain operational, industry analysts warn that ongoing staffing shortages could further escalate flight delays and cancellations ahead of the busy Thanksgiving travel period.

Private Jet Industry Pushes Back

The decision to halt private jet operations has sparked backlash from within the business aviation community. NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen criticized the restrictions as “disproportionately impacting general aviation, an industry that creates more than a million jobs, generates $340 billion in annual economic impact, and supports humanitarian and emergency flights every day.”

Meanwhile, advocacy groups such as the Patriotic Millionaires and political figures including California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter have called for a complete suspension of private jet travel during the government shutdown, arguing that the measure prioritizes limited air traffic resources for essential and commercial flights.

As the FAA’s emergency order takes effect, uncertainty continues to ripple across the aviation industry. Unless Congress acts swiftly to reopen the government, both private and commercial aviation could face even broader operational paralysis in the days ahead.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, privatejetcardcomparisons.com