U.S. Travel Warns of Thanksgiving Travel Chaos if Government Shutdown Persists
The U.S. Travel Association, along with nearly 500 industry organizations, has urged Congress to reopen the government immediately to avoid severe disruptions during the Thanksgiving travel rush.
Impact on Federal Employees and Travelers
Thousands of federal workers, including air traffic controllers and TSA officers, remain unpaid as travelers face growing delays and cancellations.
Economic Significance of Thanksgiving Travel
Thanksgiving travel plays a vital role in the U.S. economy, with over 20 million passengers flying last year during the holiday week. This activity generates billions in spending, supporting jobs, small businesses, and tax revenue nationwide.
“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.
“Thanksgiving should be about spending time with family, not worrying about flight disruptions or canceled plans,” Freeman added.
Call to Action
The coalition's letter stresses that resolving the government shutdown is essential to preserving the smooth operation of holiday travel and protecting the economy.
Author's summary: The government shutdown threatens to disrupt Thanksgiving travel, causing costly delays and economic impact, as urgent calls are made to resume normal operations.