U.S. airspace may reopen at 15Z, Mineta tells AOPA he is working to get GA flying consistent with national security

U.S. airspace may reopen at 15Z (11 a.m. EDT). However, that decision is under review at the White House. A senior FAA official told AOPA President Phil Boyer that even though a notam has been issued saying that flight operations can begin at 15Z, that decision may be changed. Secretary of Transportation Norm Mineta, on his way to a White House meeting, called Boyer and confirmed that the decision is being reviewed. Mineta pledged that he would work for a way to get general aviation flying consistent with national security.

However, the FAA did approve the restart of flight operations in Alaska last night. Recognizing the extreme importance of general aviation in the 49th state, the FAA told AOPA that it expected that aircraft would continue to be allowed to fly in Alaska regardless of what happens in the lower 48 states.

AOPA has been in contact with the FAA throughout the night and is continuing to work to get general aviation flights back in the air.

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