U.S. Federal Aviation Administration sent this bulletin at 01/08/2026 02:43 PM EST
Week of January 5, 2026
Our Busiest Year
With more than 17 million flights, 2025 was the FAA’s busiest year in more than 15 years. While Thursdays continue to be the most popular day to catch a flight, Fridays are inching closer to taking that title. We’re looking forward to another busy year!
Busiest days in 2025
1. July 17 – 56,676 Flights
2. July 24 – 55, 944 Flights
3. Aug. 14 – 54,929 Flights
4. June 26 – 54,706 Flights
5. Nov. 21 – 54,261 Flights
6. July 10 – 54,201 Flights
7. Aug. 21 – 54,158 Flights
8. Oct. 9 – 54,126 Flights
9. April 17 – 54,104 Flights
10. Oct. 16 – 54,103 Flights
Winter Weather
Winter flying brings unique challenges — from snow-covered runways and icy conditions to rapidly changing weather — especially for general aviation pilots. That’s why the FAA offers a wide range of seasonal resources to help pilots plan ahead and get where they’re going safely. Check out our general aviation winter weather checklist and other resources by visiting our winter weather page.
Travelers can also stay a step ahead by checking out the FAA’s Travelers section, which includes real-time airport status and delay information, tips on what to know before heading to the airport, and important safety guidance.
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford announced a contract to replace our aging radar system. Replacing this network of ground-based radars will enhance the safety and efficiency of our skies. The contracts, awarded to RTX and Indra, will contribute to replacing up to 612 radars by June 2028 with modern, commercially available surveillance radars. You can read the full press release here.
