According to congressional aides and US lawmakers, a US Customs and Border Protection drone mistakenly shot down a US military laser-based counter-drone system near Fort Hancock, Texas. This incident prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to expand flight restrictions along the US-Mexico border.
In a Truth Social post, President Trump ordered US air traffic controllers to 'get back to work, NOW!!!' and proposed $10,000 bonuses for those who remained on duty during the ongoing government shutdown. The FAA is grappling with significant staffing shortages and mounting flight disruptions at major airports across the United States.
The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a new Safety Alert for Operators warning pilots and flight departments of increased risks from space launches disrupting US airspace. With commercial space activity accelerating, the agency is urging close coordination, careful planning, and situational awareness to minimize disruptions.
The United States government shutdown ended with the House vote to approve a funding bill, restoring pay to hundreds of thousands of federal workers. Airlines, airports, and the Federal Aviation Administration expect delays as staffing stabilizes, but the agency will begin lifting capacity restrictions on a rolling basis.
The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a critical notice to airmen warning pilots to avoid Venezuelan airspace through February 2026, citing escalating military activity, GPS interference, and threats to civil aircraft. The advisory follows reports of increased US military operations in the Caribbean and comes as senior officials indicate the Trump administration is preparing a new phase of operations targeting Venezuela's government.
The US Federal Aviation Administration has finalized a rule requiring 25-hour cockpit voice recorders on new aircraft, starting from 2027. For newly produced passenger planes, this will be the standard baseline rather than an optional upgrade.
The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed new rules requiring US aircraft operators to replace or upgrade radio altimeters due to potential interference with wireless carriers' services in the Upper C-band. The estimated cost is about $4.
The Federal Aviation Administration has mandated that most newly manufactured large aircraft in the United States be equipped with cockpit voice recorders capable of storing at least 25 hours of audio. The rule applies to aircraft manufactured after May 16, 2025, and covers a range of business jets and larger turbine aircraft.
The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into whether major US airlines complied with its emergency order requiring carriers to cut flights at 40 of the nation's busiest airports during the 43-day federal government shutdown. The agency has contacted airlines that operate more than 10 daily flights at any affected airport and is seeking documentation showing compliance.
The Federal Aviation Administration has issued seven new Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) warning pilots and airlines of potential military activity and navigation risks across parts of Latin America and the eastern Pacific. The NOTAMs, published on January 16, 2026, and set to expire in mid-March, cover multiple flight information regions off the coasts of Mexico, Panama, Colombia, and Ecuador, as well as large sections of the eastern Pacific Ocean.
The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a nationwide security notice creating a moving drone no-fly zone around Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, citing national defense airspace and federal security statutes. The restriction applies continuously, prohibiting unmanned aircraft systems from operating within 3,000 feet laterally and 1,000 feet vertically of DHS facilities and mobile assets.
The Federal Aviation Administration placed more than 10,000 employees on furlough as the US government shutdown entered its first full workweek. Air traffic control operations continued under contingency plans, while essential services remained operational due to their deemed necessity.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has lifted flight restrictions tied to the US government shutdown, allowing US airports and airlines to resume normal operations after weeks of delays and reduced schedules. According to AeroTime, the FAA review of recent safety and staffing data showed steady improvement across the air traffic control system.
The US Department of Transportation has announced a sweeping reorganization of the Federal Aviation Administration, with a focus on improving safety and modernizing air traffic control. The restructuring centralizes safety oversight, consolidates internal functions, and creates new offices.
The US Congress is weighing a funding package that would raise the Federal Aviation Administration's budget to $22.2 billion for fiscal year 2026. The proposal includes funding for air traffic control operations, infrastructure upgrades, and the hiring of 2,500 additional air traffic controllers.