A potential partial government shutdown threatens to cost the U.S. travel industry an estimated $1 billion per week, with significant disruptions likely for travelers, according to the U.S. Travel
Association, which represents airlines, hotels, and other travel companies.
“A prolonged shutdown risks holiday travel chaos that Americans won’t accept,” said Geoff Freeman, CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. On Thursday, the head of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) cautioned that an extended shutdown could result in longer airport wait times.
A coalition of over two dozen aviation groups, including Airlines for America and the Air Line Pilots Association, warned congressional leaders in a letter on Friday about the severe consequences for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
“The FAA, its workforce, and our entire aviation system cannot sustain such a disruption, regardless of its duration,” the letter stated.
The TSA anticipates screening a record-breaking 40 million passengers during the holiday season, following similar high volumes during the Thanksgiving travel period. However, a shutdown could exacerbate operational challenges, Fitch Ratings warned, as non-essential FAA and TSA workers face furloughs.
While 59,000 of the TSA’s 62,000 employees are deemed essential and would continue working without pay during a shutdown, air traffic controllers and TSA officers—critical to maintaining safe and efficient travel—would also face unpaid work periods.
“It’s difficult to imagine how Congress benefits by forcing essential workers like TSA officers and air traffic controllers to work without pay during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year,” Freeman added. The travel association represents key industry players such as United Airlines, Marriott, American Airlines, and Hertz.
A survey conducted by the group revealed that 60% of Americans would consider adjusting or canceling their travel plans if a shutdown occurs, with many opting to avoid flights altogether.
If no agreement is reached by Saturday, the FAA predicts more than 17,000 employees could be furloughed, halting critical operations such as air traffic controller training.
The effects of government shutdowns on aviation are not unprecedented. During the 35-day shutdown in 2019, absences among TSA officers and air traffic controllers rose as workers missed paychecks, causing extended wait times at airport checkpoints. The FAA was forced to reduce air traffic in New York, prompting lawmakers to eventually resolve the impasse. Photo by Matti Blume, Wikimedia commons.