Effective at midnight on Nov. 9, 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration has effectively suspended most private jet operations at 12 major U.S. airports, allowing only a narrow set of exceptions. The restriction—issued as NOTAMs at the affected fields—permits flights that are based at the airport, emergency, medical, law-enforcement, firefighting, military, or explicitly authorized by the FAA. The move comes amid a federal government shutdown and reduced air traffic‑control staffing, and industry groups warn it will sharply increase delays and operational disruption for business aviation customers and service providers.
Key takeaways
- The FAA restriction takes effect at 00:00 on Nov. 9, 2025 and applies to 12 major airports across the United States.
- Permitted operations are limited to based aircraft, emergencies, medical/law‑enforcement/firefighting, military flights, or FAA‑authorized movements.
- The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) warned operators to expect further delays at any of the 40 airports earlier flagged under an emergency order.
- Private‑jet operators report rising demand and cancellations; Solairus Aviation’s CEO said the company was already experiencing weekend delays and expected conditions to worsen.
- Industry data cited by NBAA: general aviation supports more than 1 million jobs and generates about $340 billion in economic activity, a point the association used to argue the restrictions’ disproportional impact.
- The restrictions coincide with a U.S. Senate vote over funding to end the government shutdown; air traffic controllers have reportedly been unpaid since the beginning of October.
Background
The United States entered a partial government shutdown in early October 2025, leaving many federal employees, including air traffic controllers, without pay. Reduced controller staffing has prompted the FAA to take a series of step‑down measures intended to limit traffic at the busiest fields and to preserve safe operations when fewer controllers are on duty. Earlier this month the FAA ordered flight reductions at 40 high‑traffic airports where controller attendance fell short of required levels; private aviation already felt the operational consequences of those limits.
Business and general aviation trade groups have argued that broad, sustained cuts to flights would ripple through local and national economies. The NBAA and other industry stakeholders contend that business aircraft enable not only commerce but also critical humanitarian and medical missions. At the same time, public pressure groups and some elected officials have called for more stringent curbs on luxury private travel while federal workers remain unpaid—complicating the political landscape surrounding any FAA action.
Main event
The FAA issued a package of airport‑specific NOTAMs that effectively block most private jet departures and arrivals at a dozen airports starting at midnight Nov. 9, 2025. According to industry notices circulated to operators, the agency framed the step as a temporary operational response tied to controller staffing levels during the shutdown. The NOTAMs list permitted exceptions and note that operators can request authorization from the FAA on a case‑by‑case basis.
The dozen airports covered by the new restriction are: Chicago O’Hare (ORD); Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW); Denver (DEN); Boston Logan (BOS); Houston George Bush Intercontinental (IAH); Atlanta Hartsfield‑Jackson (ATL); New York JFK (JFK); Los Angeles (LAX); Newark Liberty (EWR); Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX); Reagan National (DCA); and Seattle‑Tacoma (SEA). These hubs are commonly used to link private domestic flights with international airline connections, a pattern the industry says magnifies the operational and commercial impacts.
Industry operators report immediate effects. Private flight providers said on Nov. 8–9 that charter availability tightened and ground handling and slot coordination became more complicated as operators scrambled to rebook or reroute clients. The change also complicates multi‑leg itineraries that mix private and scheduled commercial segments: for example, passengers flying privately to LAX to connect to an international airline flight now face additional planning hurdles and potential delays.
Analysis & implications
In the short term, the FAA’s targeted restrictions will likely increase schedule fragility for business aviation and adjacent commercial operations at the affected hubs. Operators will have to secure special authorizations or rely on alternate airports, which raises fuel, positioning, and ground‑handling costs. For corporate and charter customers, that can translate into higher fares, fewer available slots, and longer connection times—pressures that could dampen demand or redirect traffic to less‑constrained fields.
Economically, industry groups warn of cascading effects: general aviation supports more than 1 million jobs and roughly $340 billion in measured activity, per NBAA figures frequently cited by the sector. If restrictions persist or expand, service providers—FBOs, maintenance shops, handlers, and charter companies—may face revenue shortfalls with consequences for employment at local levels, especially near the impacted airports.
Politically, the move exposes tensions between public sentiment and aviation safety priorities. Advocacy groups seeking symbolic restrictions on private jets during the shutdown argue equity considerations, while industry representatives emphasize safety and economic impacts. Legally, the FAA retains broad authority to manage the national airspace for safety reasons; however, prolonged or widely publicized limits could invite litigation or prompt legislative scrutiny depending on how the shutdown resolves.
Comparison & data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Airports now restricted | 12 (effective Nov. 9, 2025) |
| Airports earlier reduced by FAA order | 40 (previous emergency order) |
| General aviation jobs (industry figure) | More than 1,000,000 |
| Estimated economic impact (industry figure) | Approximately $340 billion |
The table above places the new 12‑airport restriction in context: it is narrower than the earlier 40‑airport operational reductions in scope but targets several of the nation’s busiest commercial hubs. Those hubs are critical nodes for both private and commercial traffic, which helps explain industry concern about knock‑on effects to connecting itineraries and regional economies.
Reactions & quotes
Industry representatives and company leaders responded quickly after notices circulated to operators and customers. Their statements emphasized operational strain and economic risk while asking for clearer, predictable rules from regulators.
Operators should expect additional delays and limits at airports already affected by the FAA’s earlier emergency order.
National Business Aviation Association (industry group)
NBAA framed the action as part of a broader set of disruptions tied to controller staffing and urged members to prepare for further restrictions at other airports designated in last week’s emergency order.
“We’ve seen weekend delays and complications; tomorrow will likely be worse,”
Dan Drohan, CEO, Solairus Aviation (company LinkedIn post)
Solairus’ CEO reported operational strain on social media and warned that the situation could degrade quickly as the restrictions take effect. Operators said they were reworking schedules and notifying customers about possible cancellations.
The restrictions are disproportionately impacting general aviation and its economic and humanitarian roles.
Ed Bolen, CEO, NBAA (industry statement)
NBAA’s leadership reiterated the association’s position that broad limits on business aircraft carry outsized economic consequences and that many general aviation flights serve medical or humanitarian purposes.
Unconfirmed
- Duration: It is unclear how long the 12‑airport restrictions will remain in place; the FAA has not published a firm end date.
- Scope changes: Reports that the FAA will expand the list of restricted airports have not been independently confirmed.
- Controller staffing counts: Precise daily attendance and overtime levels at impacted towers have not been publicly released by the FAA for the affected dates.
Bottom line
The FAA’s Nov. 9, 2025 measures mark a significant, if targeted, contraction of private‑jet access at a set of major U.S. airports tied directly to controller staffing strains during the government shutdown. Short‑term effects will include more re‑routing, higher operational costs for operators, and greater planning uncertainty for passengers who mix private and scheduled service. Industry groups are already warning of economic pain for service providers and calling for predictable, safety‑based criteria from regulators.
How long the restrictions persist depends primarily on the resolution of the federal funding impasse and the return to normal controller staffing levels. Readers with time‑sensitive travel plans should contact their operators or FBOs and consult airport NOTAMs and FAA guidance for the latest authorizations and procedures.
Sources
- Private Jet Card Comparisons (news report summarizing NOTAMs and industry responses)
- National Business Aviation Association (industry group statement and member notices)
- Federal Aviation Administration — NOTAMs/operational guidance (official agency information)
- Dan Drohan / Solairus Aviation LinkedIn post (company executive commentary)
- U.S. Senate (legislative schedule and roll‑call information) (official government schedule)