Travel disruptions likely to grow as government shutdown stretches on, warns travel industry
Although U.S. airports reported few delays in the opening hours of the shutdown, travel industry groups warn disruptions will likely increase if the lapse continues. Roughly 13,200 air‑traffic controllers and more than 61,000 TSA employees are expected to work without pay amid an FAA shortfall of about 3,000 controllers, a strain experts, union leaders and the U.S. Travel Association say raises safety and operational risks — citing the 35‑day 2018–2019 shutdown and its impacts, including a Miami terminal closure.
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🔍 Key Facts
- At the start of the shutdown, U.S. airports reported few delays and TSA lines and airport operations had not yet materially deteriorated, but officials warn conditions could worsen if the lapse continues.
- Early in the lapse, an estimated roughly 13,200 air‑traffic controllers and more than 61,000 TSA employees were expected to remain on duty — working without pay.
- The FAA has an existing shortfall of about 3,000 air‑traffic controllers, which increases vulnerability to disruptions if absences, fatigue, or attrition rise during a prolonged shutdown.
- Travel‑industry leaders and aviation experts, including U.S. Travel Association president Geoff Freeman, aviation expert Jeffrey Price, and union leader Nick Daniels, warned of safety and operational risks if the shutdown persists.
- Experts pointed to the 2018–19, 35‑day shutdown — which produced tangible operational impacts such as a Miami terminal closure — as historical precedent for how extended funding lapses can disrupt air travel.
📍 Contextual Background
- The Social Security Administration's contingency plans provide that in the event of a lapse in appropriations the agency will follow those plans and beneficiaries would continue receiving Social Security, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments.
📰 Sources (3)
How your travel plans could be affected by a prolonged government shutdown
New information:
- Identifies estimated staffing counts early in the lapse: roughly 13,200 air‑traffic controllers and more than 61,000 TSA employees expected to remain on duty (working without pay).
- Notes an existing FAA shortfall of about 3,000 air‑traffic controllers, increasing vulnerability to sustained absences.
- Quotes U.S. Travel Association president Geoff Freeman and aviation experts (Jeffrey Price) plus a union leader (Nick Daniels) describing safety and operational risks and historical precedent from the 2018–2019 35‑day shutdown (including Miami terminal closure).
U.S. airports report few delays as the shutdown begins.
New information:
- Contrasts prior warnings by reporting that, initially, airports saw few delays at the start of the shutdown.
- Adds context that TSA lines and airport operations have not (yet) deteriorated materially in the opening hours but could be affected if the lapse continues.