NEW YORK — With the federal government shutdown stretching into its ninth day, flight delays and cancellations are mounting at airports from New York to Los Angeles, and travelers are beginning to pull the plug on long-planned itineraries. The shutdown’s ripple effects are growing more visible in New York, where aviation officials warn that thinning ranks of unpaid air-traffic controllers and security screeners could snarl the coming Columbus/Indigenous People’s Day holiday weekend.
Shutdown ripples through airports in the United States
The political impasse that began Oct. 1 has already pushed nearly 12,000 flights off schedule between Monday and early Wednesday, according to Federal Aviation Administration figures cited in the industry. Roughly 200 flights were outright canceled over the same period. Staffing shortages have emerged more quickly than during the 35-day funding lapse in 2019, as unpaid personnel call in sick or seek part-time work elsewhere. Delta Air Lines said the shutdown has not yet disrupted its operation, but travel agents and tour operators report growing anxiety among customers. Two clients of Arizona-based agent Sonia Bhagwan, for instance, are reconsidering Thanksgiving and Christmas vacations to Hawaii. In New Jersey, 44-year-old business traveler Wayne Milano has already canceled a work trip to India, saying air travel is “out of the question” until the budget fight ends.
Holiday and business travel plans on hold
October traditionally signals peak corporate travel season, yet many companies are instructing staff to remain virtual. “We’re leading people to stay in the office,” Freeman said at a U.S. Travel Association briefing. The trade group fears a cascade: fewer business flyers mean emptier hotel rooms, lighter restaurant reservations and slower tax revenue for cities eager to recapture pre-pandemic momentum. Leisure travelers share similar worries. Peter van Berkel, who heads Florida-based inbound tour operator Travalco, said would-be visitors from Europe and South America are asking whether they can even enter the country while the federal workforce is partially furloughed. Uncertainty over passport control staffing, national-park closures and possible expansion of delays is damping demand at a critical moment, he noted.
By the numbers: delays, cancellations and economic outlook
• Flights delayed since Monday: nearly 12,000
• Flights canceled: about 200 • Inbound tourism forecast for 2025: 67.9 million visits, a 6.3 percent decline year-over-year
• Domestic leisure-and-business travel forecast for 2024: up 1.9 percent • Longest prior shutdown: 35 days during the first Trump administration Economists at U.S. Travel and Oxford Economics expect the United States to be the only major market that will see international visitor spending fall in 2025, even without a protracted government closure. The present stalemate, they warn, could widen that gap.
What it means for international visitors
Foreign travelers already inside the country are unlikely to be barred from departing, but longer security lines and limited customer service desks are possible. International arrivals may face wait-times as Customs and Border Protection officers juggle additional duties during furloughs. Tour operators advise building extra buffer time into layovers and staying flexible with sightseeing plans, especially where national parks or federally managed monuments are on the itinerary.
Entry documents and visas
• Passport agencies remain open but may process new applications more slowly.
• Visa interviews at U.S. consulates abroad will continue if consular staff are funded by application fees, yet individual posts may reduce slots.
• Global Entry enrollment centers inside U.S. airports could shorten hours.
Industry voices weigh in
Academics who study aviation security say the system can absorb short shocks, but not indefinite uncertainty. “These things will change very, very quickly and unpredictably,” Jacobson said in an interview. If absenteeism among air-traffic controllers grows, carriers may preemptively trim schedules, concentrating flights on routes with the strongest profit margins and leaving smaller markets exposed.
Tips for travelers navigating the shutdown
- Opt for early-morning departures when delays are historically shorter and crews are fresh.
- Use airline mobile apps to receive gate changes or rebooking options the moment they post.
- Keep essential medications, chargers and a full day’s supply of clothing in carry-on luggage in case of an unexpected overnight stay.
- Consider refundable hotel rates or flexible housing platforms that allow for last-minute tweaks.
- Monitor the Transportation Security Administration’s social channels for real-time checkpoint wait estimates.
Frequently asked questions
Are TSA Pre-Check and CLEAR lanes still operating? Yes. The dedicated lanes remain open, though shorter staffing could slow them. Will domestic flights be grounded? The FAA continues to manage airspace; grounding nationwide flights would occur only if safety were compromised, a scenario regulators say remains remote. Could my national-park reservation be canceled? Parks may close visitor centers and limit services. Check each park’s official site 24 hours before arrival. How long will the shutdown last? No timetable is clear. In 2019 the lapse continued for 35 days, but congressional negotiations can break through at any moment. What’s the safest booking strategy now? Purchase flights with no-fee change or cancellation policies, and insure costly itineraries that can’t be postponed.
Outlook: watch the calendar and Congress
Travel stakeholders are already looking past this weekend to the November holiday rush. If lawmakers fail to strike a deal well before Thanksgiving week, airlines could face a staffing crunch just as millions of Americans plan to fly home. International carriers might also cap capacity, leaving fewer seats for late-bookers. For now, passengers holding tickets are advised to confirm itineraries regularly and remain prepared for shifting timetables.
