Industry Leaders Share Warning: Thanksgiving and Holiday Travel Chaos Ahead if Government Shutdown Continues
Since the government shutdown began on October 1, 2025, the travel industry as a whole has been massively impacted, with the U.S. Travel Association estimating more than $4.8 billion in travel spending being lost. And the effects are now reaching travelers at airports, with a number of delays and cancellations being reported as air traffic controller shortages continue.
Many air traffic controllers have called for an end to the shutdown, with the New York Times reporting that controllers wearing yellow union shirts were seen at various major airports handing out pamphlets encouraging travelers to make their voices heard within their own constituencies.
Now, as we head into a busy holiday travel season, the U.S. Travel Association—alongside nearly 500 other organizations and companies representing every sector of the travel industry—have sent a letter to congressional leadership urging immediate action to reopen the government ahead of the Thanksgiving travel rush.
The Association acknowledges that thousands of federal employees, including air traffic controllers and TSA officers, are working without pay, while travelers continue to face delays and cancellations.
“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.
The coalition’s letter underscores the critical role Thanksgiving travel plays in America’s economy. According to the Association, more than 20 million passengers took to the skies during Thanksgiving week last year alone—driving billions of dollars in spending and making it one of the busiest and most economically significant travel periods of the year. Beyond its importance as a time for family connection, the Association emphasized that Thanksgiving travel fuels billions of dollars in spending that sustain local economies—supporting jobs, small businesses and tax revenue in every state.
“Thanksgiving should be about spending time with family, not worrying about flight disruptions or canceled plans,” Freeman added. “The damage from this shutdown is growing by the hour with 60% of Americans reconsidering their travel plans. Congress needs to do its job. The fastest way to restore confidence and restart travel is to reopen the government by passing a clean continuing resolution.”
Written by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for Groups Today.
