The Federal Aviation Administration has temporarily restricted most private and non-scheduled flights at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) as staffing shortages from the government shutdown continue to affect the national airspace.
The closure, in effect from 11 p.m. Nov. 9 through 5:59 p.m. Nov. 31, allows only emergency, medical, law enforcement, firefighting, military, or authorized flights.
There’s a ground delay at Hobby, with arrivals behind an average of 38 minutes and some flights facing up to 71 minutes delay. The program impacts all U.S. departures arriving at HOU between 10:30 p.m. Nov. 10 and 3:59 a.m. Nov. 11.
Here’s the website we use to check the status at local airports.
The restrictions come as the FAA continues to manage air traffic amid a prolonged government shutdown that has left controllers unpaid and stretched thin.
Commercial airlines, including United, have already canceled dozens of flights at Houston airports, primarily affecting domestic routes.
The new restrictions for general aviation apply to these dozen airports:
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Denver International Airport (DEN)
General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport (BOS)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Travelers are advised to check flight status and prepare for delays.
Breaking News Alerts
More Stories Like This In Our Email Newsletter
Copyright 2025 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.