U.S. Government Shutdown: Travel Impact

Effective October 1, 2025, the U.S. federal government has officially entered a shutdown. While essential services remain in place, previous shutdowns have shown that travel can be affected in several ways.

What Travelers Should Expect:

• TSA & Air Traffic Control: Essential staff are working without pay, which may cause staffing shortages, longer security lines, and potential checkpoint closures.
• Flight Operations: Airlines may face ripple effects from FAA and ATC staffing issues, leading to cancellations, reroutes, or schedule reductions.
• Passports Visas: Passport agencies remain open, but processing may slow if the shutdown continues. U.S. consulates abroad may also see delays.

Recommendations for Travel Managers:

• Encourage travellers to arrive early at airports and build extra buffer time into itineraries.
• Use refundable or flexible tickets to reduce financial risk.
• Communicate proactively about possible delays and ensure travelers know how to reach 24/7 support.

Direct Travel will continue monitoring the situation and provide updates as developments occur.