If U.S. shutdown continues, travel and tourism will be impacted says USTA

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

There is concern that U.S. government shutdown may impact the travel and tourism industry.  U.S. airline pilots have sent a strongly worded missive to U.S. President Donald Trump, warning about safety issues.

A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass sufficient appropriation bills or the President refuses to sign into law such bills or resolutions.

US government shut down started on December 22 after Donald Trump and Democratic politicians hit an impasse. The president’s request for U.S. dollar 5 bn in funding for a wall on the US-Mexico border, was opposed by the Democrats.

The shutdown has affected more than 800,000 federal workers in nine different departments, as well as several federal agencies including the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, State, Transportation and Treasury. Federal workers deemed ‘essential’ are required to work without pay. Others are furloughed, or placed on temporary leave.

Jonathan Grella, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs at the U.S.T.A. said “The ability to travel in the U.S. is a nonpartisan issue, and airports, visas and Customs appeared largely unaffected by the partial federal shutdown before Monday,” He added, “But if aspects of the shutdown are beginning to hinder the air travel process, political leaders need to understand that there will be immediate and measurable harm to the U.S. economy and jobs — and those concerns are non-partisan, as well.

Grella cautioned that The U.S. travel community is closely monitoring developments and is prepared to quantify the economic fallout of related travel disruptions due to the U.S. shut down, so that policymakers stay fully informed.

Security lines at airports across the country are starting to grow long as nationwide action from Transportation Security Agency (TSA) workers starts to take its toll. After all it is inhuman to work without pay.

The influential Air Lines Pilots Association, International union also sent a warning to President Trump. ALPA president Captain Joe DePete said in his letter to Trump, “On behalf of the 61,000 pilots of the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA), I am writing to urge you to take the necessary steps to immediately end the shutdown of government agencies that is adversely affecting the safety, security and efficiency of our national airspace system.”

Air Canada has warned Canadians that they could face slowdowns at U.S. customs.

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