How a Government Shutdown Could Affect Travel

The U.S. government shut down on Oct. 1, 2025, after lawmakers failed to reach a compromise on funding legislation. For travelers, this could lead to potential disruptions, whether you’re flying or going to a national park.

» MORE: When will the government shut down?

The U.S. Travel Association says a shutdown could cost the travel industry an estimated $1 billion per week.

Some of the aviation industry’s most essential workers — air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration officers — are now required to work without pay. Past shutdowns have led to more federal employee absences, longer security lines and more flight delays.

How would a government shutdown affect air travel?

Although thousands of federal workers have been furloughed as a result of a government shutdown, air travel is expected to continue as normal. Both TSA officers and air traffic controllers are continuing to work, but they won’t get paid until the shutdown is over.

That shouldn’t lead to delays immediately, but if the shutdown drags on for weeks, some federal workers may refuse to work without a paycheck.

One day during the nation’s longest-ever shutdown from December 2018 to January 2019, TSA reported that 10% of its officers were missing work for an unscheduled absence.

The saga forced some airports to close security checkpoints and caused long waits for some travelers.

Some air traffic controllers also missed work during the 2019 government shutdown, which led to a temporary halt at New York-LaGuardia airport, as well as major delays at Newark, Philadelphia and Atlanta airports.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) already faces a nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers, which airlines have blamed for delays and cancellations. With more unscheduled absences, flight delays and cancellations could only worsen during a government shutdown.

» MORE: How would a government shutdown affect you?

Long-term consequences for air travel

A government shutdown could also have more long-term ramifications for air travel. For example, training new controllers, which takes up to three years, is crucial to closing that staffing gap and getting air travel fully back on track.

Would national parks close during a shutdown?

If you’re headed to a national park during the shutdown, you don’t need to cancel your plans, but make sure to exercise caution as staffing will be significantly reduced.

According to the Interior Department’s contingency plan for the National Parks Service, visitors will still be able to access park roads, lookouts, trails and open-air memorials.

Some of the personnel functions that will continue to operate include law enforcement and emergency response, border and coastal protection and surveillance, and fire suppression.

You can also expect basic visitor services to continue, such as restroom cleaning, trash collection and campground operations.

Park websites and social media accounts will not be updated during this time, unless there are emergency communications. Road and trail condition updates are suspended during the shutdown.

Can I get a passport during a shutdown?

Passport processing is expected to continue as normal during the shutdown, as it is funded through passport fees.

Passports are handled by the State Department, and the department’s shutdown contingency plans online say consular operations, including passports and visas, “will remain operational as long as there are sufficient fees to support operations.” That includes U.S. embassies and consulates abroad.

However, keep in mind a government shutdown may further delay processing times. The State Department estimates that even expedited passport application processing will take several weeks, so it’s wiser to give yourself six months of lead time before an international trip.

Can I still get Global Entry and TSA PreCheck during a shutdown?

Applications for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck will remain open during a government shutdown. TSA PreCheck is a fee-funded program, so it will continue to enroll members.

Global Entry is a different story. During the 2018 to 2019 shutdown, Global Entry appointments at some enrollment centers were canceled with no rescheduled date in sight. Any disruption could be painful for new applicants because U.S. Customs and Border Protection is still working through a backlog of Global Entry applications from recent years.