US airlines are urging lawmakers to keep the government running, saying that in order to maintain safety, the nation’s air travel “system may need to slow down, reducing efficiency,” according to a statement from lobbying group Airlines for America, which represents the largest seven airlines in the US. “When federal employees who manage air traffic, inspect aircraft and secure our nation’s aviation system are furloughed or working without pay, the entire industry and millions of Americans feel the strain,” the statement says.
How would a government shutdown impact air traffic control?
Aside from snarled airport operations, a government shutdown could have a longterm impact on the national air system. According to a Department of Transportation’s plan for budget lapses and shutdowns released earlier this year, operations like air traffic controller hiring and field training will be halted during government closures. That could stymie important progress the department has made in hiring more than 2,000 new air traffic controllers so far this year to help alleviate chronic understaffing in towers around the country.
Additionally, the development, testing, and evaluation of technology to revamp air traffic control operations—an FAA initiative called NextGen—would also be paused during the shutdown, per the DOT plan. That means a delay to the roll out of sorely needed equipment improvements in airports around the nation.
Will national parks be closed during a government shutdown?
It’s not yet clear if all US national parks will be closed during a shutdown. According to a contingency plan from the National Park Service (NPS) published in March 2024 under the Biden Administration, “the majority of National Park sites will be closed completely to public access” during a government shutdown. It also notes that the public would be advised to not visit National Park sites even if they remain physically accessible. However, the current administration has not yet published a finalized contingency plan, meaning it’s unclear if the same procedures will be followed.
Because the majority of National Park Service (NPS) staff are not considered essential workers, thousands of national park employees would be furloughed without pay if a government shutdown lasts over five days, the contingency plan says.
Non-profit groups are advocating for all national parks to be closed to the public if this happens, as unsupervised visits to national parks during the 2019 shutdown caused irreparable damage to sites, including the vandalization of prehistoric petroglyphs and the destruction of Joshua trees. “A government shutdown would leave our parks understaffed and vulnerable, putting our most cherished places and millions of visitors at risk,” Theresa Pierno, President and CEO for National Parks Conservation Association, said in a statement.
Some individual state governments have vowed to keep their national parks and monuments running with local funds in the event of a shutdown. Utah, for one, has promised to do just that, meaning that the state’s “Mighty Five” national parks, including Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capital Reef, and Zion national parks will all be accessible even if the federal government shutters. Colorado has also indicated it might use state funds to keep Rocky Mountain National Park open.
Regardless of whether or not parks stay open, a shutdown would strain operations on a system that is “already in crisis,” Pierno said, citing the Trump administration’s mass layoffs of park rangers earlier this year. If parks do stay open, travelers should reconsider visiting them, as many services and facilities like visitor centers and potentially even bathrooms, will be closed. State parks, on the other hand, will be open and fully staffed, making for a good alternative trip.
Will a government shutdown impact train travel?
Train journeys on Amtrak will not be affected in the event of government closure. Although Amtrak is federally funded and chartered with the US government as its controlling shareholder, it operates as a for-profit corporation. Amtrak employees are not federal workers, and the company receives federal funds through different government grants and Congressional appropriations separate from the budget bill under debate.
Does travel insurance cover a government shutdown?
Most travel insurance policies should offer assistance in the event of a government shutdown. “If a government shutdown results in airline or airport disruptions that impact your trip, it can trigger trip delay, trip cancellation, or trip interruption coverage benefits,” says Jeff Rolander, vice president of claims at Faye Travel Insurance.