Nov. 7, 2025
The FAA’s just-issued emergency order that is soon expected to reduce air traffic by up to 10% at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports, and vital information for business aircraft operators about the planned changes to management of the National Airspace System (NAS), was the topic of a Nov. 6 NBAA News Hour webinar.
The agency’s order applies to all major airline hubs in the U.S. and most Class B facilities, as well as several airports with significant GA operations including Teterboro (TEB), Dallas Love Field (DAL) and Houston Hobby (HOU).
Review FAA’s order and NBAA’s statement issued following its release.
While business aviation has a minimal footprint at most of the facilities impacted by the order, pilots may still feel the effects. “We are part of that 10% reduction,” said Heidi Williams, NBAA vice president of air traffic services and infrastructure. “We are sharing a finite resource, especially when you operate in and out of a Metroplex environment.
“There is a good likelihood that satellite airports will also feel the impacts of this reduction,” she added. “We’re sharing similar routes, arrival and departure procedures and corridors.”
Pilots should expect ATC to advise of potential delays when picking up their departure clearance. Williams also urged flight crews to familiarize themselves with current airport and airspace status through nasstatus.faa.gov/list and fly.faa.gov/ois.
“Those are two incredible resources that any operator can use to look at a specific airport and understand the traffic management initiatives in place,” she said.
In announcing the cutbacks earlier this week, Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy cited an internal DOT safety assessment of controllers working without pay during the shutdown. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford further noted significant stress and fatigue concerns throughout the ATC workforce.
“On behalf of NBAA, I want to recognize our nation’s air traffic controllers,” said NBAA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Kristie Greco Johnson. “Air traffic controllers continue to show up to their demanding jobs, shouldering the stress of an extended government shutdown. We deeply appreciate their commitment to safety and as stakeholders, we support [them] in this mission.”
Williams termed the situation “an ongoing pressure test,” and urged flight crews to have “an abundance of patience and a recognition that our nation’s fantastic workforce is doing a stellar job at what they do.
“The government shutdown has added to the complexity of the system,” she added. “Every time there’s not a body in a seat to work traffic, there is an impact somewhere in the system, and often it’s well beyond the facility where that staffing trigger takes place.”
Non-IFR operations, such as VFR flight following, flight check services or parachute operations may be denied at the discretion of the controlling authority. The order also limits commercial space operations to overnight hours beginning Nov. 10, until the order is rescinded once the government shutdown ends.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.