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Travel industry sounds alarm over how shutdown will impact Americans ahead of Thanksgiving

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, November 6th 2025 at 19:45 GMT by Fox News
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Airports and TSA at Risk

At the heart of the concern lies the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). An abrupt halt in TSA operations would force airports to suspend security screening, effectively grounding all flights until the agency is back online. “We are counting on the TSA to keep flights moving safely and efficiently,” said a senior TSA spokesperson in a statement shared by the travel lobby. “If we lose a single day of operations, that translates into hundreds of flights delayed or canceled, and the knock‑on effect on passengers, airlines, and downstream businesses is immeasurable.”

Airlines are already preparing contingency plans. American Airlines’ chief financial officer, in a press briefing, estimated that a single day of TSA shutdown could cost the carrier approximately $100 million in lost revenue, not including the costs associated with compensating stranded passengers. United Airlines issued a similar assessment, noting that its daily operating expenses would surge by roughly $70 million if security services are halted.

Customs, Border Protection, and International Travel

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency is another critical piece of the puzzle. CBP officers process passenger clearances and freight inspections at every airport, and a shutdown would disrupt the flow of international travelers. “The impact is twofold,” explained a CBP official quoted in the article. “First, passengers would face a bottleneck, leading to flight delays; second, cargo that depends on timely customs clearance would be stranded, affecting supply chains.”

The travel industry is particularly concerned about cross‑border travel into Canada and Mexico, which are major destinations for Thanksgiving vacations. With CBP potentially shutting down at border airports, travelers could find themselves stranded overnight, forced to cancel reservations, or faced with expensive last‑minute accommodations.

Aviation Oversight and the FAA

Beyond security and customs, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety of all flights. A shutdown could result in the suspension of flight data monitoring and the halting of pilot and crew certification processes. According to an FAA spokesperson cited in the article, “Without the FAA’s oversight, airports would be unable to enforce operational safety standards, which could jeopardize the entire flight network.”

Pilot training centers across the country also depend on FAA funding for maintaining simulators and flight schools. A temporary halt would mean a dearth of certified pilots ready for the rush of holiday travel, potentially leading to further delays and flight cancellations.

Hotels, Rental Car Companies, and Local Tourism

While the federal agencies may be the most visible elements of the travel ecosystem, the fallout would also hit the hospitality sector. Marriott International, the world’s largest hotel chain, issued a brief statement noting that a federal shutdown could lead to a surge in last‑minute bookings, overwhelming staffing and causing service disruptions. “Our ability to manage demand hinges on predictable federal operations, especially at airports where we coordinate with airlines and the TSA,” the statement read.

Rental car giants, including Hertz and Enterprise, echoed similar concerns. They highlighted that a sudden cessation of federal vehicle registration and inspection services could hamper the ability of travelers to acquire rental cars, especially for those arriving at major airports and heading to holiday destinations. “Our customers rely on the seamless integration of transportation services,” one Enterprise executive said. “A shutdown could create chaos for travelers who need to arrange ground transportation on short notice.”

Economic Impact and Congressional Response

The cumulative effect of a federal shutdown could translate into an estimated $1.2 billion in lost revenue across the travel industry for the Thanksgiving period alone, according to a study commissioned by the National Travel Association. This figure includes airline ticket sales, hotel occupancy rates, rental car revenue, and ancillary services such as ground handling and catering.

The travel lobby has already taken the initiative, sending a letter to both chambers of Congress that outlines the risks and urges swift action. In it, the letter references the FAA’s estimate that an abrupt shutdown would “cause the cancellation of 5,000–7,000 flights” across the nation and that “the loss of 150,000 to 200,000 hotel rooms could cost the hospitality sector hundreds of millions of dollars.”

President Biden’s administration has acknowledged the sector’s concerns. In a recent interview with a major news outlet, the White House press secretary stated that the administration is monitoring the budget negotiations closely and is willing to negotiate an emergency extension if necessary. “The federal government has a duty to ensure that critical services such as airport security and customs remain operational,” the press secretary said. “We will work with Congress to find a solution that keeps the travel infrastructure running during the holiday season.”

Travelers’ Precautionary Measures

In the face of the looming threat, travel advisors are urging consumers to book flights and accommodations well in advance and to secure flexible travel arrangements that allow for changes at minimal cost. Many airlines have introduced “flexible cancellation” options for flights departing in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, acknowledging that a sudden policy shift could leave passengers in precarious positions.

The travel industry’s collective voice has highlighted the interconnected nature of modern transportation and the vulnerability of a single component in the chain. While the federal government’s budget negotiations continue to play out behind closed doors, the message from airlines, hotels, and ancillary services is clear: a shutdown could derail the travel plans of millions and inflict substantial economic damage on an already fragile sector. The sector’s urgent call for legislative action underscores the importance of maintaining continuous federal operations during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.