The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that, starting Monday (10), it will impose unprecedented restrictions on business aviation at a dozen of the country’s largest airports. The information is from the broadcaster CNBC.
The move, described by industry representatives as an “effective ban” on private flights, comes amid a severe shortage of air traffic controllers caused by the government shutdown.
The decision expands the limitations already imposed on commercial airlines, which have been forced to reduce their flights since last week. The Donald Trump government ordered 4% cuts in air operations, a number that should rise to 10% by Friday (14), as a way of relieving pressure on air control professionals, many of whom continue to work without pay.
FREE TOOL
XP simulator
Find out in 1 minute how much your money can yield
According to the FlightAware website, more than 4,500 commercial flights were canceled and another 17,000 were delayed last weekend alone, due to lack of personnel and increased overload on air traffic control systems.
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), which represents the executive aviation sector, said in a statement that it is “fully committed to the security of the national aviation system” and that it will guide companies to respect the new restrictions.
The FAA has not yet officially commented on the decision. However, the airline industry expects the restrictions to be reviewed if the political impasse in Washington is resolved.
Continues after advertising
The Senate advanced on Sunday (9) in negotiations to end the strike, which is already the longest in the history of the United States.
Affected airports
The restrictions affect the 12 busiest terminals in the country, including:
• O’Hare (Chicago)
• Dallas-Fort Worth (Texas)
• Denver (Colorado)
• Logan (Boston)
• George Bush (Houston)
• Hartsfield-Jackson (Atlanta)
• John F. Kennedy (Nova York)
• Los Angeles (California)
• Newark Liberty (New Jersey)
• Phoenix Sky Harbor (Arizona)
• Ronald Reagan (Washington)
• Seattle-Tacoma (Washington)
The measure is yet another reflection of the operational collapse caused by the government shutdown, which has been affecting federal agencies and strategic sectors for weeks, impacting air transport and the North American economy.
