Travel Industry Warns of Thanksgiving Chaos if Government Shutdown Continues

Hundreds of tourism and travel industry groups have issued an urgent warning that the ongoing government shutdown could severely disrupt Thanksgiving travel plans for millions of Americans. The organizations cautioned that without a resolution before the holiday, passengers may face higher costs, increased wait times, and a wave of flight delays and cancellations.

The U.S. Travel Association, representing nearly 500 travel and tourism organizations, delivered a letter to congressional leaders including Senate leaders John Thune and Chuck Schumer, along with House leaders Mike Johnson and Hakeem Jeffries. The letter urges them to pass “a clean continuing resolution” to end what has become the longest government shutdown in American history.

“Last year, during Thanksgiving week, over 20 million passengers took flights in the United States,” the industry groups stated in their appeal. “Thanksgiving is not only a time of national tradition and family connection, but also one of the most economically important travel weeks of the year.”

The economic impact of the shutdown has already been substantial. The U.S. Travel Association estimates that America’s travel economy has lost $4 billion since the shutdown began, with losses mounting daily. The letter warned that continued political gridlock would further suppress travel demand and spending during a critical economic period.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy amplified these concerns this week when he announced a 10% reduction in flights across 40 major U.S. airports. The cuts come in response to air traffic controller shortages and safety concerns stemming from the shutdown. This measure alone will significantly reduce capacity during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

“The American people expect and deserve a fully functioning federal government during the peak holiday travel season,” the industry letter continued. “Congress must act without delay to pass a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government immediately.”

The shutdown has exposed vulnerabilities in the nation’s air travel infrastructure. Without full staffing of air traffic controllers, TSA officers, and other essential personnel, the system cannot operate at capacity. This creates a dangerous bottleneck during peak travel times, with potential ripple effects throughout the transportation network.

Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, acknowledged that while safety remains the industry’s top priority, the flight reductions will “inevitably affect the travel experience, leading to fewer flights, longer delays and more disruptions for travelers.”

“All government shutdowns are irresponsible, and this decision underscores the urgent need to reopen the government,” Freeman added. “The shutdown is putting unnecessary strain on the system, forcing difficult operational decisions that disrupt travel and damage confidence in the U.S. air travel experience.”

The political standoff centers on disagreements between Democrats and Republicans over whether to approve enhanced tax credits for the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) that were passed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Travel industry experts warn that beyond the immediate disruptions, the shutdown could have lasting consequences for consumer confidence in air travel. With memories of post-pandemic travel chaos still fresh, another major disruption during Thanksgiving could prompt travelers to reconsider future flight bookings.

For travelers with existing plans, experts recommend maintaining flexibility, arriving at airports earlier than usual, and monitoring flight status closely. Some airlines have already begun adjusting their schedules in anticipation of the reduced capacity.

As the holiday approaches, pressure continues to mount on congressional leaders to reach a compromise that will restore full operations to the nation’s transportation infrastructure before millions of Americans attempt to reunite with family and friends for Thanksgiving.