After 43 days, the government shutdown ended on Nov. 12, making it the longest shutdown in U.S. history. Government employees are slowly returning to work, and federal programs will soon become fully operational. However, the shutdown had a significant impact on air travel, and it is likely that the lingering effects of the shutdown will impact the influx of Thanksgiving travelers.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the governmental agency responsible for air traffic control in the United States. In other words, FAA employees are crucial to keeping the sky safe. During the government shutdown, the already understaffed air traffic control employees were required to work, despite not receiving regular pay. However, after a while, many of the FAA employees could not come to work because they needed to work a second job to compensate for financial struggles. Therefore, the lack of air traffic controllers meant that countless flights across the country were delayed or cancelled.
Over 5 million Americans traveling with Airlines for America were forced to arrange alternate travel plans during the 43-day government shutdown, a CNBC article reported. In comparison, the 2024 Thanksgiving travel week alone saw nearly 18.3 million air travelers, setting a record for the most holiday air travel. This year’s forecast is expected to have just as many travelers as last year, and some reporters project the numbers might break a new record.
All in all, staffing shortages caused by the government shutdown may cause flight delays or cancellations, but according to a CNN report, Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy hopes operations will be running as normal by the time of the busy holiday. If anything, there may be longer wait times in TSA lines due to staffing shortages. To prepare, a CNN article suggests that travelers should have an alternate travel plan if their flight is delayed or cancelled.
Experts suggest using airline apps as a great way to stay updated on a flight’s status.
Students traveling home by plane on this Thanksgiving are encouraged to be aware of the current state of our aviation system. Even though the government is slowly resuming operations, the shutdown will have lasting effects, and it might impact many aspects of daily life. Staying informed this holiday season is important to ensure a safe and smooth journey home.
Madeline Wall
Staff Reporter
