Flights over New York restricted until Trump sworn in

The Federal Aviation Administration said Monday that it was announcing temporary flight restrictions over part of New York until Jan. 21. Photo / Getty

Until President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in and officially assumes office, flights are going to be restricted over New York because the incoming 45th president will continue living in Trump Tower.

The Federal Aviation Administration said Monday that it was announcing temporary flight restrictions over part of New York until Jan. 21, a day after Trump is set to take the oath of office. These restrictions, which officials say were imposed at the request of the Secret Service, kicked in Monday afternoon.

Generally, the airspace above New York and other major cities already have restrictions. In New York, stricter flight limitations are imposed during major events such as the U.N. General Assembly, which was held earlier this fall, and New Year's Eve, said Laura Brown, a spokeswoman for the FAA.

The Monday announcement, known as a notice to airmen, said the agency was imposing "temporary flight restrictions for VIP movement."

According to the notice, flights are restricted below 3,000 feet above ground level in an area that covers a large swath of Manhattan, as well as parts of Queens along the East River. There were some exceptions, including for any planes heading to or from the New York area airports, law enforcement-related flights and any military aircraft supporting the Secret Service.

Another VIP restriction was announced in Indiana, where Vice President-elect Mike Pence is still living as he serves out his term as the state's governor.

During the transition period between election and inauguration, different presidents have used their time in various ways. Former President Ronald Reagan spent much of his time in California, and President Barack Obama largely stayed away from Washington.

Trump has spoken to advisers about how many nights each week he will spend at the White House vs. his home at Trump Tower, according to a New York Times report over the weekend.

A spokeswoman for Trump did not respond to a request for comment.

The notice on Monday replaced one issued last week because of what the FAA called "a realignment of geographical restriction." The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, a nonprofit aviation group, said it had asked for a change after the first notice restricted "access to the popular Hudson River corridor." In a posting Monday, the group said the new notice allows pilots to access that corridor - used by sightseeing flights, among other things - while maintaining security for Trump.