U.S. Travel Warns of Thanksgiving Travel Chaos if Government Shutdown Continues
The U.S. Travel Association, along with nearly 500 organizations representing all sectors of the travel industry, has urged Congress to take immediate action to reopen the government before the Thanksgiving travel rush.
Thousands of federal employees, including air traffic controllers and TSA officers, remain unpaid, while travelers face increasing delays and cancellations.
Impact on Travelers and Economy
Thanksgiving travel plays a vital role in the U.S. economy. Last year, over 20 million passengers flew during Thanksgiving week, generating billions in spending and making it one of the busiest travel periods annually.
This travel season supports local economies by sustaining jobs, small businesses, and tax revenues across all states.
“Air travel’s number one priority is safety and while safety will be maintained, travelers will pay a heavy and completely unnecessary price in terms of delays, cancelations and lost confidence in the air travel experience,” said Geoff Freeman, U.S. Travel Association President and CEO.
“Thanksgiving should be about spending time with family, not worrying about flight disruptions or canceled plans,” Freeman added.
Call for Government Action
The coalition emphasizes the urgent need for government reopening to prevent disastrous impacts on millions of travelers and the broader economy during the holiday.
Without swift resolution, travelers are likely to endure significant disruption, costing confidence in air travel.
Summary
The government shutdown threatens severe disruptions during the crucial Thanksgiving travel period, risking economic damage and traveler confidence, unless immediate action is taken.