A U.S. government shutdown could cost the travel industry $1 billion per week, disrupt holiday travel, and lead to longer airport wait times, warns the U.S. Travel Association.
A partial government shutdown could cost the U.S. travel industry $1 billion per week and lead to widespread disruptions for travelers, a trade group representing airlines, hotels and other travel companies said on Friday.
"A prolonged government shutdown threatens holiday travel disruptions that Americans won’t tolerate," said U.S. Travel Association CEO Geoff Freeman. On Thursday, the head of the Transportation Security Administration warned an extended partial U.S. government shutdown could lead to longer wait times at airports.
TSA expects to screen a record 40 million passengers over the holidays after setting records over the Thanksgiving holiday.
Fitch Ratings said on Friday that a shutdown "could also cause non-material operational disruptions at airports with non-essential FAA and TSA worker furloughed."
TSA, which handles airport security screening, said about 59,000 of its 62,000 employees are considered essential and would continue working without pay in the event of a shutdown that would begin on Saturday unless the government reaches a funding deal.
Air traffic controllers and TSA officers are among the government workers who would be required to keep working but would not be paid.
"It’s hard to see how anyone in Congress wins if they force TSA workers, air traffic controllers, and other essential employees to work without pay during one of the busiest travel periods of the year," said Freeman of the travel association whose members include United Airlines, Marriott, American Airlines and Hertz
The group said a survey found 60% of Americans would consider altering their travel plans if a government shutdown occurs, with many choosing to cancel or avoid flights altogether.
Without a deal, the Federal Aviation Administration estimated it would have to furlough more than 17,000 employees and halt training of air traffic controllers.
In 2019, during a 35-day shutdown, the number of absences by controllers and TSA officers rose as workers missed paychecks, extending checkpoint wait times at some airports. The FAA was forced to slow air traffic in New York, putting pressure on lawmakers to finally end the standoff.
President Donald Trump said Friday he believes any potential conflict with North Korea can be resolved, pointing to his strong relationship with leader Kim Jong Un.
U.S. President Donald Trump has abruptly ended trade negotiations with Canada, citing Ottawa’s plan to implement a digital tax targeting major tech firms.
Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have signed a U.S.-brokered peace agreement, raising hopes of ending fighting that has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands this year.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said he would consider further bombing of Iranian nuclear sites if Tehran’s uranium enrichment reaches levels that raise concerns in Washington.
The United States and China have resolved disputes over rare earth mineral and magnet shipments, overcoming a key hurdle that had delayed a trade agreement reached in May.
The UK government has eased its travel advice for Israel as the final evacuation flight for British nationals prepares to depart Tel Aviv on Sunday.
President Donald Trump said Friday he believes any potential conflict with North Korea can be resolved, pointing to his strong relationship with leader Kim Jong Un.
The US stock market closed at record highs Friday, with both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq rebounding from late-session losses triggered by trade tensions with Canada.
The U.S. Senate on Friday rejected a Democratic-led effort to block President Donald Trump from launching further military action against Iran without congressional approval.
President Donald Trump said Friday he believes a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict between Israel and Hamas could be reached within a week, following fresh diplomatic efforts.
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
The U.S. economy faces a 40% risk of recession in the second half of 2025, JP Morgan analysts said on Wednesday, citing rising tariffs and stagflation concerns.
The U.S. Embassy in Qatar has advised American citizens to shelter in place amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, as part of a broader global security alert issued by Washington.
Severe rain in Venezuela has caused rivers to overflow and triggered landslides, sweeping away homes and collapsing a highway bridge, with five states affected and no casualties reported so far.
In a televised address on Saturday night, U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced that American forces, in coordination with Israel, had conducted precision strikes on Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites, aiming to dismantle Tehran’s enrichment capabilities.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until 15 September due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
Kazakhstan’s flagship carrier, Air Astana, will temporarily suspend its flights from Atyrau to Dubai starting 28 June, due to a significant increase in flight duration.
The 176th General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) has formally registered World Expo 2030 Riyadh. Organised under the theme “Foresight for Tomorrow”, Expo 2030 Riyadh will take place in the capital of Saudi Arabia between 1 October 2030 and 31 March 2031.
Due to recent airspace closures, travellers departing from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are likely to experience flight disruptions due to the suspension of multiple regional routes. Dubai-based carriers Emirates and flydubai have cancelled multiple flights, as well.
Air Arabia has suspended flights to multiple destinations across the Middle East, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe amid escalating regional tensions and dangerous airspace conditions.
The UK government has eased its travel advice for Israel as the final evacuation flight for British nationals prepares to depart Tel Aviv on Sunday.
President Donald Trump said Friday he believes any potential conflict with North Korea can be resolved, pointing to his strong relationship with leader Kim Jong Un.
The US stock market closed at record highs Friday, with both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq rebounding from late-session losses triggered by trade tensions with Canada.
The U.S. Senate on Friday rejected a Democratic-led effort to block President Donald Trump from launching further military action against Iran without congressional approval.
President Donald Trump said Friday he believes a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict between Israel and Hamas could be reached within a week, following fresh diplomatic efforts.
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