NAFA member SOLJETS shares their latest article.
In a season meant for gratitude and togetherness, this year’s Thanksgiving arrives amid a uniquely turbulent moment in American aviation. As the nation emerges from a prolonged government shutdown, the ripple effects continue to strain airports, delay operations, and disrupt travel plans across the country. Yet even in this period of uncertainty, private aviation has remained a reliable constant—keeping families connected, businesses moving, and essential missions in motion. This article explores why, now more than ever, private aviation deserves a special place on our gratitude list, and how its resilience, flexibility, and dedicated professionals are helping travelers stay close to what matters most.
As Thanksgiving approaches, a season that reminds us to slow down, gather with loved ones, and reflect on what we’re grateful for, it’s worth taking a moment to recognize the power of connection. This year, as the United States has just emerged from a prolonged government shutdown and federal operations reopen, the aviation system continues to feel the strain of the shutdown’s ripple effects and operational reductions. For those who depend on efficiency, safety, and reliability in the air, private aviation isn’t just a luxury; it’s a lifeline.
A Season of Disruption
The latest government shutdown has created unprecedented strain across the national airspace system. The FAA has announced major reductions in general aviation operations at twelve of the nation’s busiest airports, including Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Denver International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, along with others. Under these restrictions, business and private aircraft faced prohibitions from operating at these airports unless granted special authorization, and many of these limitations may remain in place as the system transitions out of the shutdown. Beyond these major hubs, many other regions are experiencing significant slowdowns as ripple effects extend across the system. With controller staffing still stretched and operational resources only beginning to recover, air travel nationwide remains impacted and unpredictable, even as the shutdown comes to an end. The FAA has indicated that commercial flight operations at major hubs will remain reduced by approximately 3% while the system stabilizes.
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen emphasized that these limitations place a heavy burden on general aviation, an industry that supports more than a million American jobs and contributes more than $340 billion in economic activity each year. While much of the aviation community faces new restrictions and delays, this moment underscores just how essential private aviation is to maintaining connectivity, mobility, and economic vitality.
This article was originally published by SOLJETS on November 14, 2025.