The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) voiced strong concern following the FAA’s decision to halt most general aviation flights at 12 major airports beginning Monday. AOPA President and CEO Darren Pleasance said the organization recognizes the strain on air traffic controllers and aviation staff working without pay but stressed that access to the National Airspace System must remain “fair and consistent for all users.”

AOPA leaders criticized the agency’s move as overly broad, arguing that safety—not economics—should guide any restrictions.

“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,” said AOPA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Advocacy Ji

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