How a government shutdown could impact air travel

The holiday travel rush started this week, but the government shutdown could lead to longer TSA wait times at airports in the future and could affect ATC hiring if the shutdown lasts long.

Airlines for America, the airline trade organization, predicts a record winter holiday season, with more than 54 million passengers expected to fly on U.S. carriers.

Here’s what would happen if lawmakers don’t reach a deal on funding before Friday night’s deadline.

TSA

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) airport security checkpoint workers are considered “mission essential” and will be required to work without pay if there is a government shutdown.

A TSA spokesperson told ABC that 59,000 of the agency’s 62,000 employees are considered essential workers and will remain on the job. The agency said that while it is ready to handle the high volume of travelers this holiday season, a prolonged shutdown would mean longer wait times at the airport.

The TSA expects to screen 40 million passengers between December 19 and January 2, 6.2% more than last year.

Although passengers may experience longer wait times at airports during a prolonged government shutdown, commercial airlines will not be affected and should continue to operate.

Those traveling internationally should have no problems with domestic consular operations, including passport and visa services, which will remain functional as fee-funded operations, according to the State Department’s contingency plan. US embassies and consulates abroad will also continue to operate under the plan.

ATC

Many air traffic controllers who are members of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) must work without pay during a blackout.

That would mean overtime with six-day work weeks and 10-hour shifts, as other aviation security professionals are laid off.

Under the Department of Transportation’s shutdown plan, more than 12,000 air traffic controllers would work without pay during a shutdown. The contingency plan also states that more than 17,000 of the 46,277 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees are expected to be laid off.

During a shutdown, the FAA cannot hire or train air traffic controllers. It would force the FAA to close the Oklahoma ATC training facility. It would also put some trainee controllers working in airport towers out of a job.

This year, the FAA exceeded its hiring goal by adding 1,811 air traffic controllers, the largest number in nearly a decade. However, the agency is 3,000 air traffic controllers short of staffing needs, and the government shutdown could set back progress.

“For many years we’ve seen a gap that’s opened up at the workforce level, and we’re finally moving in the right direction,” Secretary Buttigieg said at a news conference last year about the potential impact of the government shutdown. air controllers “But that can’t happen if we stop in our tracks with training. Ultimately, that means more shortages and more interruptions, which can lead to cancellations.”

A coalition of aviation stakeholders representing industry and labor has sent a letter to Senate and House leaders urging immediate action to prevent a government shutdown.

“During a shutdown, many FAA employees are furloughed, meaning they cannot perform roles that support aircraft safety, aircraft certification, and the integration of new entrants. Subsequent delays cause further delays in these critical FAA services long after funding resumes.” indicated letter

“While air traffic controllers will continue to work without pay, many of the workers who support them are being laid off, and the programs the FAA uses to review and respond to safety incidents are being phased out. To remain a world leader in aviation, we must continue to strive for efficiency. improving and further mitigating the risk,” he continued.