Shutdown hits rich Americans after FAA bans private flights

Over 2,000 commercial flights have been cancelled, with another 7,000 delayed

Now, the restrictions are also impacting Americans who rely on private jets, after the Federal Aviation Administration has "effectively prohibited" business travel at some of the busiest airports in the country, per The Independent.

Just last week, the FAA reduced air traffic at 40 airports across the US by 10%. Since Sunday, over 2,000 commercial flights have been cancelled, with another 7,000 delayed.

Restrictions will now also impact private jets at Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, New York, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., the National Business Aviation Association trade said in a statement late Sunday.

"Further restrictions were announced that will effectively prohibit business aviation operations at 12 of those [40] airports, disproportionately impacting general aviation, an industry that creates more than a million jobs, generates $340 billion in economic impact and supports humanitarian flights every day," the association’s CEO Ed Bolen said, per The Independent.

"Safety is the cornerstone of business aviation, and NBAA is fully committed to ensuring the safety of the NAS (National Airspace System)," Bolen continued.

"Among the ways we will do that is to ensure business aviation operators have an understanding of these restrictions and their implications."

When the first restrictions were announced, people were already calling for a reduction in private jet travel over commercial flights.

"Just a thought… instead of reducing U.S. commercial flights, FAA should start by cancelling all billionaire and corporate private jet travel," said Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon.

In addition, Katie Porter, California governor candidate, accused the Trump administration of prioritising private jets over the public.

"Private jet flights often take a single billionaire passenger, but still put real strain on our air traffic control system," Porter said in a video posted on X last week.

"Trump is choosing to target commercial airlines that the rest of us take, rather than grounding his billionaire friends. That’s messed up, and shows you who he is about."

However, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy hit back on Sunday and said restrictions were set in place for private jets and the "priority is the travelling public."

The flight reductions on commercial travel came into effect on Friday (November 7), with major airports experiencing delays and cancellations throughout the weekend.

A deal to end the 40-day shutdown appears imminent after eight Senate Democrats defied their leadership in Sunday’s vote and effectively yielded to Republicans.

House Democrats are disappointed over the proposed deal the breakaway Senate Democrats brokered with Republicans.

The deal negotiated on Sunday night allegedly guarantees that Republicans would allow for a vote on extending the Obamacare tax credits in the future.

However, that does not mean that the House of Representatives would be guaranteed to hold a vote, as many Republican members have opposed the tax credits.