The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is criticizing the Federal Aviation Administration’s decision to suspend most general aviation flights at 12 major airports starting Monday. The FAA announced the restriction amid the ongoing government shutdown, citing staffing challenges.
AOPA President and CEO Darren Pleasance said the organization understands the strain on air traffic controllers working without pay but emphasized that access to the National Airspace System must remain “fair and consistent for all users.”
AOPA leaders called the move excessive and unevenly applied, saying it was reasonable to reduce operations across all users, but completely locking out general and business aviation is a disproportionate response.”
AOPA’s Jim McClay warned the decision “sets a terrible precedent,” undermining general aviation’s essential role in supporting local economies, infrastructure, and emergency services.
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) echoed the criticism, noting that general aviation supports more than a million jobs and contributes $340 billion annually to the U.S. economy.
The full list of impacted airports includes:
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- General Edward Lawrence 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)
