Prohibition on restriction of commercial flight operations during a lapse in appropriations

(a) In general The Federal Aviation Administration may not reduce or temporarily prohibit a commercial flight in the navigable airspace of the National Airspace System due to a lapse of appropriations, unless it has prohibited all private aircraft flights within the same geographical area for the same period of time. (b) Exceptions The limitation in subsection (a) shall not apply to a private aircraft flight that is exclusively flown for— (1) a public safety purpose; (2) government business; (3) a military or diplomatic purpose; (4) a medical reason; (5) an agricultural purpose; (6) a meteorological or scientific purpose; (7) the provision of humanitarian, nutritional, or emergency relief, including in response to a natural disaster; or (8) the purpose of carrying cargo. (c) In general The Federal Aviation Administration may enforce this section through an enforcement action seeking a civil penalty under section 46301(a) of title 49, United States Code, or through a civil action in United States District Court seeking to enjoin any air carrier from violating this section.