National Business Aviation Association says FAA restricting private flights at 12 airports

The National Business Aviation Association said that the Federal Aviation Administration is restricting private flights at 12 airports amid concerns over staffing shortages during the government shutdown.

NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said Sunday that the flight reductions were to take effect Monday, and would “effectively prohibit” private flights at the airports, The Hill news outlet reported.

The restrictions follow the FAA's announcement of a 10% reduction in air traffic last week at 40 of the country’s busiest airports.

“Last week, restrictions were announced on all aviation operations, including general aviation operations, at 40 U.S. airports,” Bolen said in a statement.

“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, generates $340 billion in economic impact and supports humanitarian flights every day,” he continued.

The FAA told the news outlet that it issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) restricting general aviation operations at 12 airports.

The 12 airports are Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Denver International Airport, General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Reagan Washington National Airport, and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

“The FAA will allow exceptions for emergency operations, medical transport, law enforcement activities, and other necessary missions, and will adjust, extend, or cancel these restrictions as operational needs dictate,” the FAA said in a statement.

“Safety is the cornerstone of business aviation, and NBAA is fully committed to ensuring the safety of the [National Airspace System],” Bolen said. “Among the ways we will do that is to ensure business aviation operators have an understanding of these restrictions and their implications.”

“Above all, this moment underscores the need to reopen the government to serve all Americans,” he continued. “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.”

The Senate on Sunday advanced a bill that would end the government shutdown.