Last night NATA alerted members to the FAA order reducing flights at 40 major U.S. airports due to staffing pressures caused by the ongoing federal government shutdown.
While mandated reductions at those airports affect some of NATA’s part 135 scheduled air carriers, the ripple effects—such as delays, rerouting, or diversions—may affect other general aviation operations and aviation businesses.
We encourage NATA members to approach this flight reduction from both an operational and customer service perspective. Proactively advise your clients of potential delays or cancellations, suggest alternate airports when feasible, and identify times of day when congestion may be greatest. Operators should also adjust fuel strategies to account for possible holding or rerouting. As always, frequent communication with FBOs will assist operators in understanding current conditions and making informed decisions. Our sector’s strength lies in its ability to remain flexible and responsive—continuing to meet the needs of customers while doing its part to adapt when conditions change.
Right now, the impact is airport-specific but may evolve if the federal government shutdown continues. NATA will continue to monitor developments and advocate for measures that protect safety and minimize disruption to general and business aviation operations.
Members are encouraged to share observations or challenges experienced under this FAA order to help guide our advocacy and outreach. Please send your feedback to the NATA team at jurban@nata.aero.
Thank you for keeping us informed as we continue to represent your interests during this evolving situation. By working closely with the FAA and industry partners through this challenging period, we demonstrate our collective dedication to preserving safety, minimizing disruption, and maintaining public confidence in our nation’s air transportation system.
NATA was founded in 1940 to represent the interests of general aviation service companies at a time when private flying faced significant challenges during World War II. Now in our 85th year of service, our mission remains steadfast: to support our members through advocacy, tools, and education to keep our industry flying.