With a shutdown once again in effect, the United States federal government has temporarily furloughed thousands of agency employees and paused operations deemed “nonessential,” including some travel-related services. For advisors and your clients, understanding how these pauses affect passports, air travel, and national park operations can make all the difference in keeping domestic and international trips on track.

How Will the U.S. Government Shutdown Impact Flights?

Airlines in the United States are all privatized, which works in traveler favor. What this means is that since they are corporate entities, they operate outside of shutdown jurisdiction, so commercial flights will continue to operate as normal and airline employees will not be impacted.

Additionally, the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) is considered an essential service and is therefore not shut down. Security screenings and other operations are expected to continue with staff working without pay (until the government reopens) at the airports.

Air traffic control under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is also considered essential, so all systems are supposed to be go. However, without compensation, worker shortages are to be expected. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy noted that second or income-producing short-term work, such as driving for Uber, creates a strong lure for air traffic controllers to choose alternative employment, and TSA may be short-staffed for similar reasons.

NPR reports that a dozen FAA facilities saw staffing shortages as early as Monday (October 6, 2025), with a “slight increase” of sick leave at two East Coast facilities, adding to ongoing staffing shortages due to budget constraints, recent cuts, and structural challenges within the agencies. According to FlightAware, more than 6,300 flights nationwide on Thursday (October 9, 2025) alone were delayed due to a 10% reduction in air traffic control staff and weather, contributing to a total of nearly 21,000 delayed flights this week (as of publication) per Reuters.

The FAA has noted Indianapolis, Chicago, Washington, Philadelphia, Roanoke, and central Florida have been particularly affected.

Altogether, travel advisors should warn their customers to:

• Allow extra time for security screenings
• Check flight status updates for delays, which should now be expected
• Check their trip protections and become familiar with its coverage and policies
• Reach out to their advisor if flights are delayed or cancelled
• Ask the desk agent if you can be rebooked on a later flight for no additional charge
• Be aware that airlines are not required to provide hotels, meals, or pay other costs tied to delays caused by the FAA
• Remain on the plane if a ground stop causes tarmac delays; you may not be allowed back on or to get your bags if you deplane
• Be aware of your rights, such as food and water within two hours of a tarmac delay, and operable lavatories

Additionally, those traveling to and from rural airports (roughly 170 communities across the country) should stay tuned for details on the Essential Air Service (EAS) program beginning Sunday. Duffy has warned that this federal program, which subsidizes commercial service to these airports, may potentially be affected. Earlier federal budget proposals included cuts by more than 50% to the program’s funding.

What Travel Services Are Affected by the U.S. Government Shutdown?

Just as passport processing has caught back up since the pandemic, this agency is anticipated to lose some of that steam.

Antoinette Hannan Leon, Chief Operating Officer & Senior Vice President of leading passport and visa expediting company ItsEasy.com says, “Passports are the purview of the Department of State, which assures that ‘consular operations domestically and abroad will remain operational.’ This includes passports, visas and assisting US citizens abroad. Most U.S. passport and visa services remain operational because they are funded by application fees rather than congressional appropriations. However, applicants may still encounter delays due to reduced staffing or limited appointment availability at some passport agencies and consulates.”

She notes, “Anyone planning to lodge a new application or renewal should allow extra time in addition to the usual four to six weeks.” Click here to read why. 

Travel advisors should tell their customers to:

• Submit their passport renewals requests earlier than usual
• Anticipate delays in receiving their new passports

How the U.S. Government Shutdown Can Impact International Travelers

Leon shares, “For Americans applying for visas to other countries, most foreign consulates continue to process applications, but any step requiring U.S. government verification may face disruption.” She cautions that “more complex or employment-linked visa cases risk significant slowdowns.”

This is particularly impactful for those traveling to Schengen Area countries, which includes popular ALG Vacations® destinations such as France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Portugal, Switzerland, and others, due to the EES program.

She explains, “The EES is a new EU program set to digitize the way travelers from non-EU countries enter and exit the Schengen Zone. Instead of border officers stamping passports manually, travelers’ biometric data (fingerprints and facial scans) and travel details will be stored in a central database. This system will automatically track the length of stay for each traveler, helping authorities enforce the 90/180-day rule. The EES represents a major shift in how borders are managed, with the goal of making travel more secure and efficient."

Whether traveling to Europe or another international destination that may require a visa, travel advisors can ensure their clients are prepared by sharing the following recommendations by Leon:

• Apply early and consider expedited options
• Closely monitor official updates from the U.S. State Department and foreign consulates
• Allow extra time at airports and land borders, especially since first implementation delays are already expected
• Keep your travel records, such as tickets and boarding passes, since passport stamps will no longer be accepted as proof of entry or exit
• Be prepared to participate in fingerprinting and facial scanning
• Make sure passports are valid for at least six months beyond travel dates

How the U.S. Government Shutdown Can Impact Domestic Travelers

The good news is that although Amtrak receives federal funding, it operates as a for-profit (i.e. privatized business) corporation, which means the government shutdown will have no impact on long-haul train travel across the United States.

The bad news is that domestic travelers can find themselves disappointed if their travel plans include visiting national parks or national museums. For both, this means a reduction of services like maintenance; closed visitor centers and other amenities; and limited access and shortened opening schedules.

Travel advisors can tell their customers to:

• Make sure to check attraction websites for the most recent updates and hours
• Be doubly conscientious to pack out when leaving a park

How Will the U.S. Government Shutdown Affect Travel Advisors?

First of all, customers will need the tips above and your expertise to ensure sailing that’s as smooth as possible. For many pros, this is far from their first rodeo, and sharing information from a trusted source is the first step to ensuring that all travelers have ample warning.

As for business, the US Travel Association is tracking the real-time economic impact of the shutdown— which it estimates to be about $1 billion per week for the travel economy and public—so partner with brands like ALGV that prioritize travel advisor success and promise fair commissions.

Finally, don’t forget to sell travel protection with your bookings to safeguard your customers’ investments. Trip and baggage delay may end up being clutch for your clients, and commission protection is a shield for your business.