Lately, something unusual has been shaking up the private aviation world. The recent partial government shutdown in the U.S. has created headaches for the aviation industry, and private-jet companies like Flexjet, Inc. are feeling the ripple effects in a big way. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has imposed flight cutbacks at 40 major airports because of a shortage of air traffic controllers. This has created an unexpected squeeze where demand for private jets is rising fast, even as operational restrictions tighten.
Here’s the backdrop. The FAA’s order affects some of the busiest airports across the country, including key hubs like Teterboro, Dallas Love Field, Fort Lauderdale International, Houston William P. Hobby, Washington Dulles, Las Vegas Harry Reid, Chicago Midway, and Salt Lake City International. These eight airports alone are among the top 25 busiest for private jets. Initially, the FAA directed a 4% cut in scheduled domestic flights during peak hours, then bumped this to 10% starting November 14, 2025. If the shutdown drags on, the FAA says stricter limits could be in the cards.
Within this tighter framework, Flexjet’s CEO Andrew Collins noticed a clear jump in private-jet bookings, especially last-minute requests within 12 hours of takeoff. It’s no longer just a seasonal spike; the demand feels more systemic, driven partly by clients looking for ways around unreliable commercial flights. In fact, a recent Sunday in October became one of the busiest ever for Flexjet, even without a major event driving it, a sign of shifting customer behavior.
Other companies in the market like Fly Alliance and Magellan Jets are seeing similar surges in inquiries and flights. Magellan’s president, Anthony Tivnan, points out that the FAA’s staffing shortfalls are slowing air traffic controller operations, making flights harder to schedule and often requiring reroutes or wait times on the taxiway. These operational hiccups mean private operators have to stay flexible on timing and routes to keep clients happy.
What’s behind the FAA’s tough stance? The shutdown means many air traffic controllers have been working without pay since early October. To keep things safe amid this staffing crunch, the FAA has curbed flights to reduce congestion on runways and in the skies. Since private jets make up about one-sixth of all FAA-managed flights, the impact is direct and noticeable.
For travelers, private jets have become an attractive alternative. They offer a way to avoid long TSA lines and crowded terminals, which have become even more unreliable with the spike in airline delays and cancellations. Andrew Collins mentions that strategies like bringing flight crews in early and scheduling trips outside peak restriction hours are helping, but delays and rerouting on popular routes, especially between the Northeast and Southeast, are probably going to be more common for now.
This situation also brings up some larger questions about fairness and policy. Groups like Patriotic Millionaires argue private jets should be grounded completely during the shutdown to reduce flight volume and address equity concerns, since private jet users pay a small share of the taxes that fund FAA operations while enjoying taxpayer-supported infrastructure.
From an economic perspective, private aviation is a major contributor, supporting thousands of jobs and generating billions in economic activity. Disruptions from FAA restrictions could have a ripple effect beyond just flights, especially during what’s expected to be a busy travel season.
Looking ahead, operators like Flexjet are pushing clients towards earlier bookings and exploring new ways to stay flexible in this constrained environment. The outcome really hinges on how long the government shutdown lasts. Once resolved, there’s hope operations will return to normal, but for now, the private aviation world is navigating some choppy skies while demand keeps climbing for those seeking more certainty than commercial airlines can offer.
