A passenger walks along terminal 2 at the San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, California , U.S., September 3, 2022. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo
U.S. Travel Industry Warns of Severe Impact from Potential Government Shutdown
A partial U.S. government shutdown, set to begin Saturday unless Congress reaches a funding agreement, could cost the travel industry $1 billion per week and lead to widespread holiday disruptions, according to the U.S. Travel Association.
Threat to Holiday Travel
The CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, Geoff Freeman, expressed concerns about the potential fallout: “A prolonged government shutdown threatens holiday travel disruptions that Americans won’t tolerate.”
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) anticipates record passenger volumes, screening 40 million travelers over the holiday period. TSA Administrator David Pekoske has warned that an extended shutdown could result in longer wait times at airport security checkpoints.
Impact on Aviation and Security Operations
More than two dozen aviation organizations, including Airlines for America and the Air Line Pilots Association, issued a joint letter to congressional leaders emphasizing the risks to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the broader aviation industry. The letter highlighted that “The FAA, its dedicated frontline workforce, our aviation community, and our economy cannot afford a disruption, regardless of how long it lasts.”
The TSA, which employs approximately 62,000 personnel, estimates that 59,000 of its workers are classified as essential and would continue working without pay during a shutdown. Air traffic controllers, similarly deemed essential, would also be required to work unpaid.
Fitch Ratings noted that a shutdown could cause “non-material operational disruptions at airports” due to furloughs of non-essential FAA and TSA workers.
Economic and Traveler Implications
The travel association conducted a survey revealing that 60% of Americans would consider altering or canceling their travel plans if a shutdown occurs. A similar situation during the 2019 government shutdown caused significant disruptions, including:
- Increased absenteeism among TSA officers and air traffic controllers, leading to extended wait times at airport checkpoints.
- FAA furloughs of over 17,000 employees, halting air traffic controller training.
- Slowed air traffic in critical regions, such as New York, prompting pressure on lawmakers to end the standoff.
Warnings from Industry Leaders
Freeman criticized Congress for forcing essential employees to work without pay during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year. “It’s hard to see how anyone in Congress wins if they force TSA workers, air traffic controllers, and other essential employees to work without pay,” he stated.
The letter from aviation groups reiterated the urgency of avoiding a shutdown, as disruptions to the FAA and TSA could have cascading effects on holiday travel and the broader economy.
Congressional Deadline
As the midnight deadline looms, failure to reach a funding agreement would trigger disruptions across various government services. For the travel sector, this includes the furlough of thousands of FAA employees, delayed training programs, and potential strain on TSA operations.
With the 2019 shutdown offering a stark precedent, industry leaders are urging swift action to prevent similar consequences this holiday season.
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