As the year-end holiday travel season approaches, unsettling news arises from Washington, D.C. with a government shutdown impending due to a deadlock among lawmakers. The polarization has reached a point where a proposed short-term funding bill, endorsed by President-elect Donald Trump, was recently rejected. If an agreement is not reached by 12:01 a.m. ET on Saturday, operations may be halted, and hundreds of thousands of federal employees and contractors will face furloughs. The economic and administrative ramifications of such a shutdown would undoubtedly ripple through various sectors, but none may feel the effects quite as acutely as the travel industry.
Despite the potential for a government shutdown, airlines remain cautiously optimistic about the holiday season. Predictions indicate that this could be the busiest travel period on record. Specifically, United Airlines projects carrying 9.9 million passengers from December 19 to January 6, marking a 12% increase compared to the previous year. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) anticipates that it will scan over 40 million travelers during this peak period alone. Crucial to understanding the dynamics of this situation is the TSA’s designation of “essential” personnel, which includes over 14,000 air traffic controllers and approximately 60,000 TSA agents. Thus, even during a shutdown, these employees would continue to work, albeit without pay.
The TSA has expressed concerns regarding the efficiency of security operations should the shutdown persist. Administrator David Pekoske confirmed on social media that TSA agents would maintain their roles to safeguard the traveling public, but an extended shutdown could inevitably lead to longer waiting times at airport security checkpoints. Travelers may face heightened frustrations as they navigate crowded terminals filled with others eager to reach their holiday destinations amidst the uncertainty of a government shutdown.
Reflecting on past instances, the last government shutdown was notably lengthy, surpassing a month from late 2018 into early 2019. It was during that shutdown that operations within the already congested U.S. airspace were severely impacted, particularly with disruptions caused by air traffic controller absences. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has once again found itself in a precarious situation, lacking a permanent administrator following the announced resignation of FAA chief Mike Whitaker, effective January 20, coinciding with Trump’s swearing-in.
Members of the aviation industry, including Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian, have called for a focus on modernizing air traffic control systems and expanding the workforce of air traffic controllers. The necessity for streamlined operations and preventive measures to avoid similar crises in the future cannot be overstated. As travelers prepare for what could be the most active time for airlines, the interplay between government actions and travel stability continues to loom ominously over the season. With mounting pressure on congressional leaders to resolve funding issues, the stakes could not be higher for the millions planning to travel this holiday season.