U.S. Travel Warns of Thanksgiving Travel Chaos if Government Shutdown Continues

U.S. Travel Warns of Thanksgiving Travel Disruptions Amid Government Shutdown

The U.S. Travel Association, along with nearly 500 travel industry organizations, urged Congress to reopen the government before the Thanksgiving travel period to prevent severe disruptions.

“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.

Thousands of federal workers, including air traffic controllers and TSA officers, are currently working without pay. Meanwhile, travelers continue to face flight delays and cancellations caused by the shutdown.

Thanksgiving Travel’s Economic Impact

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel seasons, with more than 20 million passengers flying during the holiday week last year alone. This surge generates billions in spending, which supports local economies across the country.

“Thanksgiving should be about spending time with family, not worrying about flight disruptions or canceled plans,” Freeman added.

The coalition emphasizes the urgency of reopening the government to safeguard both travelers and the economy during this crucial period.

Summary: The government shutdown threatens significant travel chaos and economic loss during Thanksgiving, affecting millions of passengers and critical federal aviation staff working without pay.

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U.S. Travel Association U.S. Travel Association — 2025-11-04

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