AOPA pushes back on GA ban, renewed privatization push

The first order, which went into effect on November 7, said GA operations could be reduced by as much as 10 percent at affected airports.

Days later, the FAA issued notams, which went into effect at 12 a.m. Eastern time on November 10, restricting GA operations at the following airports with very few exceptions that include aircraft based at those airports, law enforcement, medical, and firefighting:

• Hartsfield/Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport (BOS)
• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
• Denver International Airport (DEN)
• Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
• George Bush Intercontinental/Houston Airport (IAH)
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

The government shutdown ended late on November 12, and the FAA issued a revised order, capping the cuts for airlines at 6 percent, but kept the ban on GA operations at the same 12 airports.

In response to the bans on GA operations, AOPA President Darren Pleasance emphasized that while AOPA understands the extraordinary strain on the system and the dedicated professionals working without pay, access must remain fair and consistent for all users.

“We are deeply sympathetic to the traveling public and the air traffic controllers who continue to work tirelessly under immense pressure without compensation,” said Pleasance. “But general aviation is an essential part of our nation’s transportation and economic fabric. This kind of blanket exclusion cannot become the norm.”

“It was certainly appropriate for the FAA to equitably reduce aircraft operations on all users of our nation’s public-use aviation system due to the government shutdown. However, the decision over the weekend to completely lock out all general and business aviation at a number of airports across the country is a disproportionate response. Any flight reductions should be based solely on ensuring safety and not for economic purposes,” said AOPA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Advocacy Jim Coon.

“Our national airspace system has always thrived on fair and equitable access. Banning general aviation operations—even at a small number of airports—sets a horrible precedent. General aviation is just as critical to our nation’s infrastructure as commercial operations and should not be penalized in this way,” said AOPA Director of Airspace, Air Traffic, and Security Jim McClay.

Some have also used this situation to renew calls for privatizing the ATC system. Earlier this year, as the ongoing ATC modernization efforts were getting underway, the entire aviation industry—along with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy—united against privatization.

“The aviation industry has moved on from the divisive and repeatedly failed push for so-called ‘privatization.’ Now is the time to focus on updating our air traffic system and invest in our controller workforce,” said Coon. “Through the Modern Skies Coalition, the entire aviation industry stands behind modernizing our air traffic control system, which is focused on replacing outdated technology to ensure continued safety and system efficiencies.

“Privatization—or handing over our aviation system to private interests—will not solve the challenges we face today,” added Coon. “Supporters of privatization often point to systems in Canada, the U.K., and elsewhere as examples, but they all face their own staffing shortages, delays, and funding challenges. The U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration, Congress, and the aviation industry are committed to modernizing our system for the traveling public and this should be the focus going forward.”

AOPA also strongly supports the Aviation Funding Stability Act, which was introduced by Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) earlier this year, along with a House version introduced by Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) and Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ind.). The legislation would ensure the FAA continues to operate during government shutdowns.

“It’s not just the aviation industry that feels the effects of government shutdowns—it's the traveling public at large who are needlessly impacted,” said Coon. “Senator Moran’s bill is now more important than ever to ensure the uncertainty and travel impacts we’ve seen in recent weeks never happen again.”