Travelers could face flight cancellations or delays this Thanksgiving if Congress fails to avert a government shutdown this week, which would force Transportation Security Administration officials and air traffic controllers to work without pay.
The TSA warned that holiday travel this year could be the busiest it's ever seen, with roughly 30 million travelers projected Nov. 18-28, but it said it was prepared for the increase. However, if the government fails to secure funding before Saturday, it will shut down, which could cause a staffing shortage and flight delays.
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“We are quickly approaching what is forecasted to be the busiest travel period since before the pandemic, and it’s critical that policymakers work together to avoid a shutdown and support continued, safe, and efficient airport operations,” Kevin Burke, president and CEO of the Airports Council International-North America, told the Hill.
The shutdown would force 50,000 TSA officers and 13,000 Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers to work without pay until the government is funded again. But if air traffic controllers refuse to show up for work, it could cause delays or cancellations because not enough workers would be helping flights get off the ground.
The TSA said that despite possible flight delays and cancellations, it would do its best to streamline security at the airport so check-in times would be reduced. Travelers are encouraged to get to the airport at least two hours ahead of domestic flights.
"[TSA personnel] will do their best to meet wait time standards of 10 minutes and under for TSA PreCheck lanes and 30 minutes and under for standard screening lanes at security checkpoints,” a TSA spokesperson said. “But an extended shutdown could mean longer wait times at airports.”
Previous shutdowns have affected nearly every aspect of air travel in the past, according to Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS). The last government shutdown stretched on for 35 days and was the longest in U.S. history. If the government shuts down and it also takes at least 35 days to resolve, it would affect Christmas and New Year's travel as well.
“It’s very hard for anybody to go for 20 days, 30 days, 40 days or longer without receiving a paycheck," the TSA spokesperson said. "It impacts the ability of people to get to work, to pay to put gas in their vehicles, to pay for parking. It impacts their ability to pay the individuals that provide care for their children."
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The government shutdown could also cost the U.S. travel industry $140 million a day, according to an analysis by Tourism Economics. This number includes the closure of national parks and museums and a decline in travel via air and rail. The air travel industry could lose $36 million a day alone.
The Washington Examiner has reached out to the TSA for comment.