By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A partial government shutdown could cost the U.S. travel industry $1 billion a week and lead to widespread disruptions for travelers, a trade group representing airlines, hotels and other travel companies said on Friday.
“A prolonged government shutdown threatens disruptions to leisure travel that Americans will not tolerate,” said Geoff Freeman, CEO of the US Travel Association. On Thursday, the head of the Transportation Security Administration warned that a prolonged partial shutdown of the U.S. government could lead to longer wait times at airports.
A letter from more than two dozen aviation groups warned congressional leaders on Friday that a shutdown could have serious consequences for the Federal Aviation Administration.
“The FAA, its dedicated frontline workforce, our aviation community and our economy cannot afford any disruption no matter how long it lasts,” said the letter from Airlines for America, the Air Line Pilots Association and others.
TSA expects to screen a record 40 million passengers this holiday season, after setting records during the Thanksgiving holiday.
Fitch Ratings said a shutdown “could also cause non-material operational disruptions at airports, with non-essential FAA and TSA employees furloughed.”
TSA, which handles security checkpoints at airports, said about 59,000 of its 62,000 employees are considered essential and would continue to work without pay in the event of a shutdown starting Saturday unless the government reaches a funding deal.
Air traffic controllers and TSA officers are among the government employees who would be required to continue working but would not be paid.
“It’s hard to imagine how anyone in Congress will win if they force TSA employees, air traffic controllers and other essential workers to work without pay during one of the busiest travel times of the year,” said Freeman of the travel company, which includes United falls under. Airlines, Marriott, American Airlines (NASDAQ:) and Hertz
The group said a survey found that 60% of Americans would consider changing their travel plans if the government shut down, with many choosing to cancel or avoid flights altogether.
Without an agreement, the FAA is estimated to have to lay off more than 17,000 employees and end training for air traffic controllers.
In 2019, during a 35-day shutdown, absences of inspectors and TSA agents increased as workers missed their paychecks, extending wait times at checkpoints at some airports. The FAA was forced to slow air traffic in New York, putting pressure on lawmakers to finally end the standoff.
