As Thanksgiving approaches, Vice President JD Vance and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy have issued a stark warning about potential travel chaos amid the ongoing government shutdown. Their statements followed a recent roundtable discussion at the White House with key industry leaders.
Concerns Over Upcoming Thanksgiving Travel
During the meeting, Vance expressed serious concerns about the impact of the shutdown on air travel. He highlighted that many Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees are now working without pay, which could lead to significant operational disruptions. “Look it could be a disaster,” Vance noted, stressing that unpaid workers may not show up, leading to massive travel delays.
Impacts on the Aviation Industry
In attendance were leaders from major airlines, including American Airlines CEO Robert Isom and United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby. They collectively voiced their worries about the shutdown’s negative effects, which extend beyond aviation to the broader economy. Geoff Freeman, CEO of the US Travel Association, echoed these sentiments, revealing that the travel industry is experiencing a financial loss of $1 billion per week due to the shutdown.
- Key Industry Leaders Present:
- Robert Isom – CEO, American Airlines
- Scott Kirby – CEO, United Airlines
- Geoff Freeman – CEO, US Travel Association
- Sean O’Brien – President, Teamsters
- Everett Kelley – President, American Federation of Government Employees
- Nick Daniels – President, National Air Traffic Controllers Association
Calls for Legislative Action
Freeman indicated that 60% of Americans are reconsidering their travel plans due to the shutdown. As Thanksgiving is the busiest travel week of the year, the clock is ticking for a resolution. Both Vance and Duffy have urged Congress to pass a clean spending bill to reopen the government, calling it essential for easing the strain on air travel.
The Significance of Air Traffic Controllers
The roundtable also addressed the urgent need to recruit more air traffic controllers. These individuals are crucial for maintaining efficient airport operations, and their absence due to financial stress could exacerbate delays. This concern is particularly pressing, given the controller staffing shortages experienced during the previous government shutdown in 2019.
Future Implications
The warnings from Vance and Duffy point to potential chaos for holiday travelers if no resolution emerges soon. They emphasized the importance of avoiding further complications that could hinder safe and timely travel during one of the year’s peak times.
As the government shutdown continues, the priority for many remains clear: Congress must act swiftly to ensure that Americans can travel safely and efficiently this Thanksgiving.
