us travel association shutdown

A government shutdown wouldn't stop air travel, but it could make it worse

The U.S. air travel system is huge and complicated, and it could show significant signs of stress in the event of a federal government shutdown.

As the hours tick by without any indication of progress on a new funding bill, it looks more and more likely that the government will shut down at 12:01 ET on Sunday. Many federal programs and agencies will have to stop funding and their workers will be furloughed.

Federal Aviation Administration employees, such as air traffic controllers, and Transportation Safety Administration employees, like security screeners, would still be expected to report to work but not get paid.

While those people will get back pay sometime after the government gets funded again, they're not likely to be happy about delayed paychecks, and if the shutdown drags on, more of them will probably stay home. That would contribute to flight delays and cancellations.

We’d like to hear from you about how you’re preparing for a possible government shutdown, whether you might be out of work or feel the effects of shuttered services. Please contact us at  [email protected]  or reach out to us  here .

The nonprofit U.S. Travel Association said earlier this month that a shutdown could cause consumers to eliminate $140 million a day in travel spending, would worsen flight delays and increase screening lines.

It could also push back crucial modernization work at U.S. airports that are in poor condition.

The group says that, according to a survey conducted by Ipsos, 60% of Americans said they would cancel or avoid air travel during a shutdown.

Some key essential workers would be affected

At a news conference on Wednesday, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said his department will have to immediately stop training new air traffic controllers if there is a shutdown, and furlough another 1,000 controllers who are "in the training pipeline."

The FAA says there are 45,000 flights in the U.S. on an average day, a number that has grown over the years even as experts say the agency has been operating without enough air traffic controllers. Buttigieg said the government hired 1,500 controllers this year and plans to hire 1,800 in 2024, but said the training and certification process is so long and complex that even a relatively brief shutdown could prevent that from happening.

"We finally have that headed in the right direction," Buttigieg said of the controller staffing and training. "Even a few days or weeks could set us back well into next year."

That, in turn, could make the system itself more brittle.

Buttigieg also emphasized the stresses that transportation personnel would feel if they don't get their pay on time, which would almost certainly be exacerbated by ongoing high inflation .

That combination of fragility and frustration actually helped bring about the end of the last government shutdown, the longest ever, which stretched from December 2018 to January 2019.

As it dragged on, unions representing aviation safety inspectors and air traffic controllers said that their furloughs were making air travel dangerous for the public. Some were then ordered to come back to work.

Meanwhile, frustrated at the lack of pay, increasing numbers of security personnel called out sick and lines at airports got longer. Finally, a group of 10 air traffic controllers did the same, causing widespread delays on the East Coast. That helped force an end to the shutdown.

Marley Jay is a business news reporter for NBC News Digital.

Watch CBS News

Plan to travel? How a government shutdown could affect your trip.

By Megan Cerullo

Updated on: September 27, 2023 / 10:59 AM EDT / MoneyWatch

If the U.S. government shuts down next week , a lapse in federal funding to agencies that enable air travel could disrupt Americans' fall travel plans.

Though Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees, including air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents responsible for keeping the skies safe, are deemed essential and would therefore be required to work in the event of a shutdown, they would have to do so without immediate pay, according to the White House.

That's in part why Americans with trips planned could feel the effects of a government shutdown, with White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre warning it could cause "significant" delays for travelers.

A government shut down could cost the U.S. travel economy as much as $140 million a day, according to the  U.S. Travel Association . The strain on the U.S. travel system would lead to more flight delays, longer screening lines and holdups in air travel modernization, according to the group. 

What a shutdown would mean for travelers

For starters, many Americans say they simply won't travel if Congress can't approve new spending for federal agencies before an October 1 deadline. Six in 10 Americans said they would cancel or avoid air travel in the event of a shutdown, according to a survey from  Ipsos and U.S. Travel .

With a possible government shutdown just days away, Scott Keyes, founder of travel website Going.com, is urging some travelers to come up with alternative plans immediately.

That includes people planning to visit one of the U.S.'s national parks next week. 

• Who does a government shutdown affect most? 
• A history of government shutdowns: The 14 times funding has lapsed since 1980

During the government shutdown in 2013, national parks and Washington, D.C., monuments were closed, resulting in roughly $500 million in lost tourism dollars, according to the National Parks Service .

Many parks stayed open during a shutdown in 2018 and 2019 thanks to state funding, but services such as trash collection and restrooms were unavailable. 

For example, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs told the Arizona Republic that the Grand Canyon would stay open in the event of a federal government shutdown, through funding from the Arizona Lottery. "Arizona should not have to suffer because of the federal government's inaction," Hobbs told the media outlet. "The Grand Canyon is a pillar of our state and provides good paying jobs for hundreds of Arizonans while showcasing one of the seven natural wonders of the world to those who visit."

In 2018, then Gov. Douglas Ducey signed an executive order  to keep the park open with state funding maintaining operations.

Still, Keyes said it would be wise to reconsider parks visits. 

"For most travelers hoping to visit a national park next week, I would start making other plans. I would not count on that trip happening; it's time to start looking into plan B," he told CBS MoneyWatch.

Low-morale for those required to work

It could take days or weeks for a government shutdown to start affecting airport operations. 

While TSA and air traffic controllers would continue to work, their lack of on-time pay could drag down morale and hamper operations. 

"Immediately, it doesn't have a huge impact," Keyes said. "But if it lasts weeks or months, you'll see quite a few TSA officers and FAA employees suffering from low morale and getting behind on bills. There will be an increasing number of absences, longer security lines, flight delays and cancellations."

Workers who stay on the job don't work for free, but they would only earn backpay when a potential government shutdown ends. 

"It's a delay not a denial when it comes to paychecks, but for a lot of folks, you can't pass along that IOU to the grocery store or landlord, so it can have a large impact for people's pocketbooks," Keyes said.

During the 2018-2019 shutdown, an uptick in unscheduled air traffic controller absences led to flight cancellations and travel disruptions at New York's LaGuardia airport and major airports in Atlanta, Philadelphia and New Jersey. 

That's not to say airport workers will stay home on October 1. "A short-term stoppage would have very little impact on airports," Moody's Investors Service airline industry analyst Kurt J. Krummenacker said in a statement to CBS MoneyWatch. 

Longer term, though, "it will impede the ability of federal agencies to meet their missions of air traffic control, TSA passenger processing, customs and border processing and federal grant distribution for airport capital spending," he added.

"Humongous repercussions"

A shutdown would also halt the FAA's efforts to hire and train 2,600 new employees at  " exactly the wrong moment," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told Congress on Wednesday.

A possible shutdown would also coincide with a shortage of roughly 3,000 air traffic controllers in the U.S., and "at the very moment when we finally have those air traffic control workforce numbers headed in the right direction," according to Buttigieg.

"They are already stretched thin at important air corridors like New York," Keyes of Going.com said. "This will exacerbate it."

For those on the job today, "understanding that pay will come retroactively is a helpful salve, but there still might be a decrease in morale, increase in absences and folks being distracted from an already stressful, rigorous and extremely important job," he added. "Even one mistake can have humongous repercussions."

Passport delays

Some passport agencies are housed in government buildings that would close in the event of a shutdown, leading to fewer available appointments for renewals and new applications as well as processing delays, Becky Blaine, travel industry editor for travel site The Points Guy, told CBS MoneyWatch.

Don't count on speedy visitor visa and other program approvals, either.

"It would also trickle down to processing times for visas and global entry," she said.

• Government Shutdown

Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News 24/7 to discuss her reporting.

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Does TSA still run if the government shuts down?

The US government could be heading for another partial government shutdown later this week unless Congress can agree to a new round of spending bills.

Republican and Democratic leaders passed their first tranche of departmental spending bills in early March – funding about 30 per cent of the US government – and now find themselves working against a sharp deadline to send through a second, larger package of bills to keep the government open until the 2024 fiscal year ends on 30 September, just weeks before the presidential election.

As it stands, federal funding is set to expire in the early hours of Saturday 23 March for the departments of Homeland Security (DHS), State, Defense, Labor and Health and Human Services.

However, it now appears that the House of Representatives has reached a tentative deal to bankroll the DHS , an agreement that would enable it to pass a sticking point and allow negotiators to process the remaining five funding bills just in time to avert another partial government shutdown .

Shutdowns are a recurrent threat looming over Congress whenever the parties of the left and right cannot find common ground on how to bankroll the great offices of state.

Under the Antideficiency Act, which was passed in 1884 and amended in 1950, US government departments and federal agencies cannot spend or commit money without the approval of Congress.

The House and Senate therefore need to assess the budget requests submitted by individual departments and agencies and agree on the 12 appropriation bills that apportion a full year’s worth of funding to those offices before a given deadline, with the spending packages having to pass through both chambers before they can reach the Resolute desk to be signed off by President Biden.

If Congress passes the appropriation bills, the clock is reset for another year and everyone can rest easily.

If it cannot, those departments and agencies affected must cease all non-essential functions until a deal is in place.

If all of the dozen bills are caught up in partisan squabbling, a complete government shutdown takes place. But if some can be agreed to, leaving only a few offices required to close their doors, a partial shutdown is the result.

During federal shutdowns, government employees are told not to report for work and placed on furlough – although, since 2019, they are now paid retroactively when the impasse comes to an end, rather than forced to lose out on wages altogether.

The state of play does not apply to those whose jobs are considered essential for public safety, such as law enforcement officers, soldiers, air traffic controllers, medical personnel, power grid technicians or those responsible for administering social security, Medicare and Medicaid payments.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staff fall under this category and would therefore be required to go to work as usual in the event of a shutdown to keep travel open, although they would be expected to do so without immediate pay, an issue that can only be resolved once the shutdown is brought to an end through the successful conclusion of negotiations in Congress.

Such a demoralising and dysfunctional situation is far from ideal, of course, and White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre moved to warn the public last autumn that such an eventuality was likely to result in “significant” delays to journeys , advising travellers to plan their trips accordingly.

The US Travel Association estimates that government shutdowns can cost the American economy around $140m per day as greater strain is placed on essential services.

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What government shutdown would mean for travel. Here's what to know

Members of Congress are still in discussions about Washington’s next funding bill, but as gridlock continues, the country is inching closer to another government shutdown .

The good news, if it happens, is it’s unlikely to have a huge impact on any travel plans you may have, so you’ll still be able to drown your frustrations in a mai tai and bury your head in the sand whatever’s going on.

And while a long shutdown could result in more noticeable impacts for travelers, it’ll take a while to get there. Here’s what government documents and past precedent tell us is probably going to happen instead. 

Does a government shutdown affect my flight, cruise? 

Basically, no, it shouldn’t.

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Funding to agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration, Transportation Security Administration and Customs and Border Protection would be on hold. However, the agents who you typically interact with at airports and seaports, and the controllers who oversee your flights are considered essential and will be working without pay during the shutdown.

Impacts on those agencies have more to do with things like hiring and training. All the crucial safety functions like inspections and air traffic control continue.

Consular operations in the U.S. and internationally will also continue normally “as long as there are sufficient fees” collected to support them, according to the most recent guidance from the State Department. “This includes passports, visas, and assisting U.S. citizens abroad.”

There could be economic repercussions, though. A government shutdown is estimated to cost the country's travel economy as much as $140 million per day, according to an analysis for the U.S. Travel Association.

A survey from the organization and Ipsos also found that 60% of Americans would likely cancel or avoid air travel if a shutdown occurred.

Who is considered essential personnel in the travel industry?

You can think of it as the people who keep things moving. Air traffic controllers, safety inspectors, security agents and customs officials have all been exempt under previous shutdown plans and will likely continue working even in the current situation.

How did other shutdowns impact travel?

During previous shutdowns, impacts to travel were minimal. In 2019 it took about two weeks of no pay before FAA controllers and TSA agents started not showing up for work. At that point, lines started stacking up at security checkpoints and flights started getting delayed. Shortly after, the government finally agreed to funding legislation and got things back in order.

Is a government shutdown imminent? What Congress needs to do (quickly) to avoid one

That same year, some national parks closed entirely, while others remained technically open but without staff to maintain them . Some fell into disarray, with trash piling up and toilets overflowing.

Previous government shutdowns have generally not impacted cruises, however, according to Stewart Chiron, an industry expert known as The Cruise Guy.

“Cruise passengers should pack some additional patience as there may be some delays and inconveniences, possibly caused by staffing, but cruise vacations should proceed without issues,” he said in an email.

A look back to 2019:

How a US government shutdown could mess up your travel plans. Or not

Sep 30, 2023 • 4 min read

As federally administered sites, national parks will be affected by the looming government shutdown. Travelers beware © Joe Raedle / Getty Images

Planes will take off. TSA and customs personnel will be on the job – but with their pay suspended, they might be cranky. And if the shutdown drags on, so will you. 

If the United States Congress fails to pass a short-term extension to the federal budget by Saturday, September 30, the government will shut down beginning at 12:01am on Sunday, October 1.

The travel industry is expecting fallout: the sector could lose up to $140 million a day, according to the US Travel Association , and domestic and international travelers may face delays or cancellations to their trips.

Here are some of the ways a USA government shutdown may affect your upcoming travel plans.

The impact of the government shutdown on flights in the USA

The four million US government workers who would not be able to collect paychecks during a government shutdown include more than 14,000 air traffic controllers, more than 60,000 US Customs and Border Protection workers and more than 60,000 Transportation Security Administration employees, including security officers, canine handlers, air marshals and explosives experts. 

Most all these federal employees are considered essential government workers and would be required to show up for duty. This means that security, immigration and customs lanes at airports around the country will be operating, and planes will continue to land and take off.

Still, travelers should be prepared for slowdowns at checkpoints and delays in the air if the shutdown is not resolved quickly. 

The TSA is already understaffed and currently screening more than 2.5 million passengers per day – more than pre-pandemic leves. Wait times at security checkpoints could start to increase if employees forced to work without paychecks start calling in sick, as they did when the 2019 partial government shutdown dragged on for weeks. 

Flight delays and cancellations could begin complicating plans if air-traffic controllers begin calling in sick, as they likewise did during the 2019 partial government shutdown, which stretched to 35 days.

A government shutdown now would also mean future delays as “we would immediately have to stop training new air traffic controllers and furlough another 1000 controllers who are already in the training pipeline,” Pete Buttigieg, the US transportation secretary, said in a news conference on September 27.  

The implementation of technology systems designed to make air travel safer and more efficient, such as NOTAM, NextGen and others, could also be delayed, notes aviation expert and travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt . “While a short shutdown may not have much impact, I believe a prolonged shutdown may really disrupt this,” he said. 

What can you do? Keep an eye on your flight status. Arrive at the airport extra early to allow for checkpoint delays. Use the free checkpoint-reservation lane if your airport offers it. And be kind to the TSA officers and other airport workers who may be stressed and working without pay.

The impact of the government shutdown on US passport and visa issuance

Passport-processing wait times are already at an all-time high of 10 to 13 weeks, “and while operations will continue, certain agencies based in government buildings may cease to operate,” says Katy Nastro, a travel expert with Going.com, “But here too, the build of frustration due to no pay can lead to similar effects of longer processing times.”

What can you do? “There isn’t much to be done to hurry the process,” says Nastro. “You can apply for expedited processing retroactively on passports or seek an emergency passport. But even then, people are experiencing elongated processing times.”

The impact of the government shutdown on national parks

As they did during previous government shutdowns, national parks and forests, national monuments and museums, and other federally managed recreational spaces may close entirely or operate with limited staff and services. And those with camping reservations in national parks may find themselves out of luck.

What can you do? If your travel itinerary is built around visits to federally run museums, monuments or parks, check (and recheck) their websites for updates on programs, closures and changes to hours. Research alternative museums and attractions before leaving home in case you arrive to find a federally run attraction shuttered. And if you don’t want to take chances on having your national-park camping reservation canceled, consider switching your booking to a state park or a private campground instead.

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Looming Government Shutdown Would Cost US Travel Economy $1 Billion Per Week

T he U.S. Travel Association is urging Congress to prioritize avoiding a federal government shutdown that would cost the travel economy an estimated $140 million a day or nearly $1 billion a week.

Failure to pass a new funding bill by the November 17 deadline would also compound government-related travel issues such as passport and Global Entry processing delays and lengthy visitor visa wait times , U.S. Travel warns.

"Of all the activities in the Capitol this week, none has produced legislation to fund the government ahead of the coming November deadline. Lawmakers must focus attention on governing and advancing a set of appropriations bills to keep the government funded and fully functioning," Tori Emerson Barnes, executive vice president of public affairs and policy at the U.S. Travel Association, said in a statement.

"A shutdown would cause disruptions for millions of Americans and threatens to cost the travel economy as much as $1 billion a week, an astonishing and avoidable scenario."

A recent survey from Ipsos and U.S. Travel found that six in 10 Americans would cancel or avoid trips by air in the event of a shutdown.

"Each day that passes will cost the travel economy $140 million, an unacceptable prospect that Congress must avoid before the clock runs out and the damages mount," U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman said in a statement last month.

"The federal government is already failing the traveler—a shutdown would be further proof of Washington’s inability to find reasonable solutions to problems that affect Americans nationwide."

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U.S. to Lift Pandemic Travel Restrictions, Easing Tension With Europe

Travelers who provide proof of full vaccination against the coronavirus before boarding a flight will be able to enter the United States.

By Zolan Kanno-Youngs ,  Mark Landler and Heather Murphy

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration will lift travel restrictions starting in November for foreigners who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus , reopening the country to thousands of people, including those who have been separated from family in the United States during the pandemic, and easing a major source of tension with Europe .

The halt to the 18-month ban on travel from 33 countries, including members of the European Union, China, Iran, South Africa, Brazil and India, could help rejuvenate a U.S. tourism industry that has been crippled by the pandemic. The industry suffered a $500 billion loss in travel expenditures in 2020, according to the U.S. Travel Association, a trade group that promotes travel to and within the United States.

In New York City alone, the lack of tourists wiped out 89,000 jobs and resulted in a loss of more than $60 billion in revenue, the state comptroller found.

“Everyone says New York is back, New York is back, but it’s not really back until tourists are back from all countries,” said Leyla Saleh, 28, a pastry chef whose father was forced to shut down his gift shop in Midtown Manhattan last year because he did not have enough business.

Foreign travelers will need to show proof of vaccination before boarding and a negative coronavirus test within three days of coming to the United States, Jeffrey D. Zients, the White House pandemic coordinator, said on Monday. Unvaccinated Americans who want to travel home from overseas will have to clear stricter testing requirements. They will need to test negative for the coronavirus one day before traveling to the United States and show proof that they have bought a test to take after arriving in the United States, Mr. Zients said.

The decision comes during a crucial week for Mr. Biden , who will give a speech on Tuesday to the United Nations General Assembly and is under pressure from allies frustrated over the travel restrictions , the administration’s haphazard withdrawal from Afghanistan and a diplomatic feud with France .

France reacted with fury last week after being left out of a lucrative agreement to develop nuclear-powered submarines for Australia. Paris recalled its ambassadors to the United States and Australia and described the deal as a stab in the back.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken discussed the deal on Friday with the French ambassador, Philippe Étienne, along with the travel ban, according to a senior State Department official, who said other allies had also expressed concerns about the restrictions. Those discussions helped inform the decision to lift the travel ban, the official said, asking for anonymity to describe sensitive talks.

“International travel is critical to connecting families and friends, to fueling small and large businesses, to promoting the open exchange of ideas and culture,” Mr. Zients said. “That’s why, with science and public health as our guide, we have developed a new international air travel system that both enhances the safety of Americans here at home and enhances the safety of international air travel.”

The changes announced on Monday apply only to air travel and do not affect restrictions along the land border, Mr. Zients said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers people fully inoculated two weeks after they receive the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Those who have received vaccines listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization, such as the AstraZeneca vaccine, would also be considered fully vaccinated, according to a statement from Thomas Skinner, a C.D.C. spokesman.

The C.D.C. will also issue an order directing airlines to collect phone numbers and email addresses of travelers for a new contact-tracing system. Authorities will then follow up with the travelers after arrival to ask whether they are experiencing symptoms of the virus.

Although the new rules open up travel for some, they shut it down for others.

Unvaccinated people will soon be broadly banned from visiting the United States even if they are coming from countries such as Japan, which have not faced restrictions on travel to America during the pandemic. The restrictions will create substantial complications for people who want to travel to the United States from countries where it is more difficult to get vaccinated, according to Willie Walsh, the director general of the International Air Transport Association, a trade group of the world’s airlines.

Mr. Walsh said it was “critical that governments accelerate the global rollout of vaccines” and settle on “a global framework for travel where testing resources are focused on unvaccinated travelers.”

“We must get back to a situation where the freedom to travel is available to all,” he added.

The Trump administration began enforcing the bans against foreign travelers in January 2020 in the hopes of preventing the spread of the virus. The effort was largely unsuccessful, in part because American citizens scrambling to return home encountered porous screenings at U.S. airports upon arrival.

President Biden kept the restrictions on travelers from the European Union, Britain, India and other places, despite pleas from business leaders in need of profits from tourism, foreign workers who traveled overseas to renew visas to work in the United States only to be left stranded , and citizens left separated from their partners abroad .

The White House maintained that the restrictions were necessary, particularly after the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant this summer fueled a rise of coronavirus cases and undermined the central theme of Mr. Biden’s presidency — vaccinating Americans and getting the pandemic under control.

No city in the United States felt the impact of the travel ban like New York, which had the highest share of overseas travel and drew more than 13.5 million foreign visitors in 2019. International arrivals fell by as much as 93 percent in 2020, according to data from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs the area’s airports.

Mr. Zients cited the pace of vaccinations administered globally as a reason for the administration’s pivot on Monday. The move also came on the eve of a visit by Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain, who was expected to press Mr. Biden to lift the ban. British officials had hoped the president would announce a relaxation of restrictions when he went to England in June for the Group of 7 summit and were disappointed when he did not.

Their frustration has only deepened.

British officials noted that the United States had not imposed a similar ban on people from Caribbean nations, which had a higher rate of infection than Britain, or from Argentina, where a lower percentage of the population was vaccinated. About 82 percent of people in Britain above the age of 16 have had two shots.

Britain and several European Union countries allow fully vaccinated people from the United States to travel without quarantining, and officials there were annoyed when the United States did not reciprocate. The European Union has since reversed itself, and issued a recommendation to its members to put more restrictions on American travelers.

“It’s a fantastic boost for business and trade, and great that family and friends on both sides of the pond can be reunited once again,” Mr. Johnson said in a tweet.

The ban, European officials point out, has kept families separated since early 2020, when the coronavirus was erupting across Europe. European countries have weathered a third wave of infections propelled by the Delta variant. But in several countries, including Britain, infection rates have begun to level off and even decline.

British newspapers played up the fact that the parents of Emma Raducanu, the British woman who won the U.S. Open tennis tournament, could not travel to New York to watch her play.

Europe is the largest market for passenger flows to and from Britain, according to the International Air Transport Association, but North America is the second biggest, accounting for 10.1 million passengers.

Constantin Film, one of Germany’s biggest production and distribution companies, is based in Munich and has an office in Los Angeles, according to the company’s chief executive, Martin Moszkowicz.

During the 18 months of the travel ban, the company’s investment in the U.S. economy “was basically zero,” Mr. Moszkowicz said. The company had to move the production of two feature films and one show to Canada and South Africa, he said.

For many, the travel ban meant losing time with family.

“I am trying not to cry because it’s such a beautiful day,” said Giovanni Vincenti, 42, an Italian professor who lives in Baltimore. Mr. Vincenti’s daughter, who was born last May, has never met her grandparents because of the travel restrictions.

Cristina Garbarino, 55, a babysitter in Genoa, Italy, said the travel ban put on hold her visa and her plan to get married, and kept her apart from her fiancé, who lives in New Hampshire, for almost two years.

“At my age, I don’t have much time to lose,” she said, “and I lost two years like this.”

Reporting was contributed by Emma Bubola from Rome, Stephen Castle from London, Ceylan Yeginsu from Istanbul and Patrick Wehner from Washington.

Zolan Kanno-Youngs is a White House correspondent covering a range of domestic and international issues in the Biden White House, including homeland security and extremism. He joined The Times in 2019 as the homeland security correspondent. More about Zolan Kanno-Youngs

Mark Landler is the London bureau chief. In 27 years at The Times, he has been bureau chief in Hong Kong and Frankfurt, White House correspondent, diplomatic correspondent, European economic correspondent, and a business reporter in New York. More about Mark Landler

Heather Murphy is a reporter on the Travel desk. She welcomes tips, questions and complaints about traveling during the pandemic. More about Heather Murphy

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A U.S. Government Shutdown May Be Approaching — Here's How It Will Affect Travel

The shutdown would take effect on Oct. 1 if lawmakers don’t pass a federal budget or stopgap measure.

Jeenah Moon/Getty Images

As the federal government inches closer toward a government shutdown, travel will remain largely the same for Americans if it indeed happens. However, in the event of a shutdown, travelers may feel the effects in various situations.

This week, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg warned that a shutdown would make the current air traffic control staffing shortage worse, resulting in the furlow of 1,000 air traffic controllers who are currently undergoing training in an interview with Politico.

“A shutdown would stop all of that progress,” Buttigieg told Politico . “It would mean we have to immediately stop training air traffic controllers and furlough 1,000 controllers who are already in the training pipeline.”

Buttigieg added that even a short shutdown that only lasts  “a few days” would result in the failure to meet staff and hiring targets for next year. 

Airlines for America, which represents major carriers across the country, has said the New York Terminal Radar Approach Control facility remains only 54 percent staffed. Throughout all of this, the FAA has said it is working with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), the union representing controllers, to solve the problem.

The FAA has told Travel + Leisure the agency plans to hire 1,800 air traffic controllers next year, an increase from the 1,500 controllers hired this year.

The Impact on Day One

Air travelers are not likely to notice the effects right off the bat as air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration officers, are "essential" employees and will continue working, albeit without pay for the moment.

“The longer it lasts, the bigger the impact we will potentially face as travelers,” Katy Nastro, a travel expert with Going.com , told T+L. “If I’m a TSA agent, I'm coming to work because I’m essential, but I’m not getting paid. After a certain point — and this happened in 2019 — some people called out sick and it got to be a bigger problem.”

Nastro said the “breaking point” is typically about two weeks.

“We don't want this to happen, but the old adage ‘pack your patience’ might come into effect the longer this goes on,” Nastro added.

National Parks May Be the Most Affected  

Where travelers may see an immediate impact would be in national parks . Nastro said about a third of national parks closed down during the 2018 shutdown. 

“For the more popular ones, the highly trafficked national parks , those types of parks have contingency plans. But that's not a guarantee for all of the parks,” Nastro said. “It’s basically up to the state.”

Arizona’s Gov. Katie Hobbs, for example, has said she will provide funding to keep Grand Canyon National Park open, according to The Arizona Republic .

“Arizona should not have to suffer because of the federal government’s inaction,” Hobbs told the paper. “The Grand Canyon is a pillar of our state and provides good paying jobs for hundreds of Arizonans while showcasing one of the seven natural wonders of the world to those who visit. I am proud to offer resources to keep the park open and am committed to ensuring Arizonans are protected from Washington’s failure.” 

It’s unclear exactly which national parks will remain open in the event of a shutdown, but travelers can look to the past for some guidance. In 2018, Yellowstone National Park , for example, continued to welcome visitors, but closed all government-run operations and facilities and stopped staffing entrance stations.

American Travelers Are Canceling Plans

A government shutdown may not affect many aspects of travel right away — especially private companies like Amtrak and cruise lines — but that hasn’t stopped 60 percent of Americans from saying they would cancel or avoid trips by air if a shutdown does happen, the U.S. Travel Association shared with T+L.

“I think it’s incumbent on us to help people understand the consequences of their decisions,” U.S. Travel Association CEO Geoff Freeman told reporters at the Skift Global Forum 2023. “We expect the travel economy will lose $140 million a day because of what’s about to happen.”

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If a Government Shutdown Happens, How Will It Impact My Travel Plans?

By Jessica Puckett

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

As a looming US government shutdown seems more and more likely to happen this week, many travelers are wondering how the closure of the federal government will affect their upcoming trips this fall.

If Congress can't pass a funding bill by September 30, a shutdown would begin on October 1, with all non-essential government entities ceasing operations. Such a halt could cost the travel industry up to $140 million a day , according to estimates from the US Travel Association. Additionally, a survey by the association and Ispos found that “six in 10 Americans (60%) would cancel or avoid trips by air in the event of a shutdown.”

But is it really best for travelers to cancel their trips during the potential shutdown? Will operations at airports really be that bad? And what about visits to federal sites, like national parks ?

Aviation workers like air traffic controllers and TSA officers are federal employees, so they’ll continue working at full capacity through the shutdown. In general, that means travelers don’t need to cancel trips from a logistical standpoint. “Travelers should not worry about their travel plans if a shutdown does happen,” says Kerry Tan, associate professor of economics at Loyola University specializing in the airline industry. “Government agencies associated with air travel like TSA and the FAA are considered essential services, so they will still be operating.”

However, these federal employees will be working without pay, so passengers who are flying during the shutdown period should remember to be extra considerate and kind to workers at the security checkpoint, Tan says.

Although these workers will keep airports open and flights running, a shutdown definitely puts added pressure on both TSA officers and air traffic controllers, who are already working amid an ongoing shortage of employees . “They are under enough stress as it is doing that job without having to come into work with the added stress of not receiving a paycheck,” Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said on CNN on Sunday.

In past shutdowns, the stress on these critical employees working without a pay has had significant effects on the nation’s air travel system, especially during prolonged closures. “The longer a government shutdown drags on, the longer air travelers will have to wait—both at TSA and for flight delays,” says Scott Keyes, founder and chief travel expert of Going . “Though after every shutdown workers have received backpay, a longer shutdown will likely impact morale, and we'd expect to see an increasing number of absences, which means more delays and longer security lines.”

In 2018, for example, the government saw its longest shutdown period ever: 34 days. Toward the end of that stretch, in January 2019, air traffic controllers and TSA workers who were tired of working without paychecks began calling out sick at certain airports. This led to a complete ground-stop at New York’s LaGuardia airport and delays at other major airports, including Atlanta, Newark, and Philadelphia. The next day, politicians struck a tentative agreement that reopened the federal government.

Although flights will still be operating, there is one type of trip that experts say needs to be reconsidered: Visits to national parks, many of which will be shuttered for the length of the government’s closure.

“If you've got an upcoming trip to a national park or monument, it's time to start making alternate plans,” Keyes says. In past shutdowns, the national park system has either completely closed (like in 2013) or has remained open to visitors with fewer workers, leading to overflowing trash and litter, damage to natural formations, and even safety issues.

Some states, like Utah and Arizona , have vowed to keep their national parks running at full capacity by redirecting state funds. Elsewhere, visiting a state park could be a good alternative; they are often just as beautiful and will remain open through a government shutdown because they are not under federal jurisdiction.

“For most other trips, a government shutdown is unlikely to have a direct impact on your travels,” Keyes notes.

Still, travelers should certainly plan ahead while flying during this time. “I would recommend that travelers arrive to the airport early in anticipation of longer wait times at airport security lines,” Tan says. “Although this is not a holiday weekend, I would treat the air travel process as if I was flying during a major holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas.”

To be on the safe side, follow the traditional rule of thumb : Arrive at least two hours before of departure time for a domestic flight and three hours ahead for an international flight.

Aside from potential effects on day-to-day operations, the shutdown could have long-term implications. Passport processing, already facing major delays , will be “significantly impacted” while the government is closed, according to Keyes. “If you've got an overseas trip coming up this fall or winter, it could take even longer to get a new or renewed passport,” he says.

Air traffic control training centers will also be shuttered, potentially exacerbating an existing shortage of ATC professionals. The Department of Transportation has made progress in closing the gap this year, getting about 2,600 air traffic controllers in the training pipeline, Buttigieg said in congressional testimony last week.

“A government shutdown would stop us in our tracks when it comes to hiring and growing the ATC workforce at exactly the wrong moment,” said Buttigieg. “While those who are qualified controllers in the tower would be permitted to continue working, it would stop training at just the moment when we’re finally trending positive again.”

And a wrench in the pipeline of trained air traffic controllers could mean more flight delays for years to come.

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French Air Controller Strike

Affected Airports - City , State Association:

• Paris  Charles De Gaulle, France  (CDG)

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American Airlines has implemented a special exception policy to our travel partners that is now available for our mutual customers due to French Air Controller Strike Our Travel Notice exception policies on American are also available when ticketed to/from/through on our Joint Business partners: This applies to both prime and codeshare flights as shown below:

Inventory Requirements

Lowest Inventory, Same Cabin

If original inventory is not available rebook lowest inventory available in the same ticketed cabin. As a reminder, customers that do not hold a Basic Economy fare should never be booked into B inventory.

Basic Economy -

• Must be booked in B inventory only. If B inventory is not available, then an alternate flight must be selected. Advance Purchase and Ticket Change restrictions are waived.

Instant Upsell -

Refer to Travel Notice Policy - Travel Agency Guidelines for rebooking guidelines and Endorsement Box requirement when the customer purchased Instant Upsell (IU) directly with American on aa.com . IU PNRs contain the following SSRs:

• OTHS AGENCY RETAINS CONTROL OF TKT FOR REISSUES
• OTHS INSTANT UPSELL ANCILLARY EMD ISSUED 001xxxxxxxxxx

Refer to Exceptions to Fare Rules .

Note: If customers are unable to rebook or reissue their ticket within the given timeline, they can cancel their reservation and use the value of the ticket toward the purchase of a new ticket; all rules and restrictions apply. Travel must commence no later than one year from the date of original issuance.

Endorsement Box Requirements

• Refer to individual Travel Notice for Event Name
• Ticket Reissue required. This is the only required verbiage and supersedes all other information.

Instant Upsell (IU) tickets must use waiver code: TNADV/IU when rebooking in the Instant Upsell Inventory IU PNRs contain the following SSRs:

Refer to Travel Notice Policy - Travel Agency Guidelines for Endorsement Box requirement when the customer purchased Instant Upsell (IU) directly with American on aa.com .

Changes to Origin/Destination - Not Allowed

• Waive Change Fee
• Ticket reissue for original ticketed fare
• 300 Mile Radius is always allowed, unless otherwise stated in the notice
• Changes to origin/destination are not permitted for the travel notice
• Any changes made to origin/destination all fare rules apply

300-Mile Radius Only - Allowed

• Within same country
• For booking inventory, view Inventory Requirements

Basic Economy Short-haul fares

book in B inventory only.If B inventory is not available, then an alternate flight must be selected.

Changes to Connection City

Changes to Co-Terminal

Changes to Co-terminal and MAC airports on AA Prime and AA*/Codeshare flights are allowed

• Co-terminal & MAC Airports are considered the same routing.  

Reissue Policy Information

American Airlines will waive change fees and travel agents may rebook and reissue tickets provided the below guidelines are met and applied:

• Ticket issued on the following ticket stock: AA 001, AY 105, BA 125, El053, IB 075, JL 131, QF 081
• Applies to AA*/ one world flights
• Travel has not commenced on the affected flight segment and the ticket has not been reissued by American Airlines
• The first departure flight is more than 2 hours away
• Affected coupons are in OK status
• Travel reissuance only in accordance to dates identified in the applicable Travel Notice Exception Advisory
• More than one change allowed without an additional collection, including penalty or change fee within the Travel Notice dates
• Original issuing agency responsible for ticket reissue
• Ticket Revalidation not permitted
• The return travel must be booked in the original class of service (inventory)
• Refer to Extend Travel Rebooking after the Travel Event
• Basic Economy must be rebooked in the appropriate Basic Economy inventory
• Please ensure the above procedures are accurately followed to prevent debit memo issuance

Rebooking - Exception to Fare Rules

Exception to Fare Rules: All fare rules apply with the exception of the following:

• Advance Purchase requirement waived
• Minimum/Maximum Stay requirement waived
• Change Fee waived
• When changes to the outbound travel occur, the unaffected return date may be changed to protect the original length of the trip. The return travel must be booked in the original class of service (inventory).

SalesLink Request

• Rebook flights in compliance with Travel Notice Exception Policy
• Log-in to SalesLink at www.saleslink.aa.com
• Request Type: select 'Service'
• Input AA PNR
• Waiver Type: select 'Travel Notice'
• Travel Notice: select applicable Travel Notice event name
• Select 'Next' - and complete request
• Verify: SalesLink approval remarks in PNR
• New Ticket Endorsement Box: Enter event name only
• Ticket Reissue required

Endorsement Box requirement: 23APR24A or the exchange will be subject to a debit memo

Extend Travel Rebooking Guidelines

If customers are unable to rebook within the New Travel Dates, may reschedule their reservation to/from the same city or alternate cities and reissue their ticket with the below guidelines:

• Cancel their itinerary and apply the value of the original ticket towards the purchase of a new ticket for travel commencing within 1 year from the date of original issuance
• Change fee only is waived as long as the original ticket is reissued within ticket validity and the impact dates are in accordance with those identified in the Travel Notice
• Basic Economy fares may only be used towards the purchase of other Basic Economy fares.
• Residual MCO's are not allowed when using the TNADVE waiver code for reissue.
• Extend Travel Rebooking does not apply to tickets in conjunction with Instant Upsell (IU)

Refund Policy Information

When the flight is cancelled or the length of delay is 91+ minutes , travel agents may refund ticket(s) through normal GDS/ARC/BSP processing. Refer to our Schedule Irregularity policy for delays 90 minutes or less.

• Refund To Original Form Of Payment - All penalties/fees waived
• Non-Refundable Fare
• Refundable Fare with cancellation Fee
• Basic Economy Fare
• Bulk/Opaque Fare

Note: If the ticket has been exchanged by American as an INVOL submit the refund request directly with American. Refer to American Airlines Refunds .

When the flight is not cancelled or the length of delay is 90 minutes or less , a refund does not apply:

• If customer elects to cancel their reservation and use the value of the ticket toward the purchase of a new ticket outside the Travel Notice dates; may use Extend Travel Rebooking or may hold ticket for future travel; all rules and restrictions apply.
• Travel must commence no later than one year from the date of original issuance.

En route/Diversion

• Connecting customers' en route to one of the above-listed destinations or whose flights are diverted will have the option to return to their original departure city and rebook travel to alternate future dates.
• Customers should work directly with the airport to obtain a boarding pass for return travel to their original departure city. If the customer wishes to rebook travel to alternate future dates, please contact American Airlines Reservations for assistance. Alternatively, they may receive a refund if re-accommodation options are unacceptable.
• If a ticket has already been reissued by American Airlines or the ticket is partially used, travel agents must submit the refund request online at https://prefunds.aa.com/refunds/

American Airlines will continue to monitor this Travel Notice Exception Advisory and adjust this policy if needed. Changes will be posted on AA.com and www.saleslink.aa.com reference. Please check these sources frequently for the most up to date information.

• www.saleslink.aa.com Reference: Select Travel Notice Policy - Travel Agency Guidelines
• Visit www.saleslink.aa.com and navigate to AA News and Offers to view current travel notices.
• Contact your Sales Support Center 800-621-8489 or American Airlines Reservations 800-433-7300 (U.S. and Canada) or for Reservations outside the U.S. and Canada, please see our Worldwide Reservations Numbers American Airlines encourages all customers to check flight and gate status prior to leaving for the airport. For complete travel information, visit AA.com .
• Group reservations must be changed by AA Group & Meeting Travel
• Information contained on this web site is subject to change at any time without notice. American Airlines shall not be liable for any consequences resulting from your reliance on the information.

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