US faces Thanksgiving 'travel crisis' if government shutdown continues

Almost 500 organisations and companies representing all sectors of the US travel industry have issued a plea to end the country’s government shutdown ahead of the Thanksgiving travel rush.

 

They warn of a “Thanksgiving travel crisis” without a re-opening of vital government departments.

 

Thousands of federal employees, including air traffic controllers and TSA officers, are working without pay, while travellers in the US continue to face delays and cancellations.

 

The US Travel Association is leading the lobby, warning that the US travel economy has already lost more than $4 billion due to the shutdown, with losses continuing to “grow significantly with each passing day”.

 

More than 20 million passengers took flights in the US during Thanksgiving week last year.

 

But 60% of Americans are rethinking their travel plans for the November 27 Thanksgiving period, the trade body warned.

 

A letter sent to congressional leaders urging immediate action to reopen the government said: “With Thanksgiving, the busiest travel period of the year, imminently approaching, the consequences of a continued shutdown will be immediate, deeply felt by millions of American travellers, and economically devastating to communities in every state.”

 

The US travel sector coalition lobby includes multiple organisations from across the country.

 

The letter said: “Thanksgiving is not only a time of national tradition and family connection, but also one of the most economically important travel weeks of the year. 

 

“Travel spending during the holiday generates billions of dollars in economic activity, supporting jobs, local tax bases, and small businesses nationwide. 

 

“A continued shutdown is likely to significantly suppress travel demand and spending, creating a real threat to American workers, businesses, and the overall economy.

 

“The American people expect and deserve a fully functioning federal government during the peak holiday travel season. 

 

"Congress must act without delay to pass a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government immediately and ensure full federal operations are restored in advance of the Thanksgiving travel period.

 

“The cost of continued inaction will be felt by families, workers, businesses, and communities in every part of the country.      

 

US Travel Association president and chief executive Geoff Freeman said: “Air travel’s number one priority is safety and while safety will be maintained, travellers will pay a heavy and completely unnecessary price in terms of delays, cancellations and lost confidence in the air travel experience.

 

“Thanksgiving should be about spending time with family, not worrying about flight disruptions or cancelled plans.

 

“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.”