Washington, D.C. – The travel and aviation industries in the United States are sounding the alarm as the ongoing government shutdown threatens to derail one of the busiest travel seasons of the year.

During a high-level roundtable at the White House, Vice President JD Vance and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy met with major airline CEOs, union leaders, and travel representatives to discuss the escalating impact of the shutdown on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the broader economy.

Both officials warned that if the stalemate continues, the country could face a “Thanksgiving travel disaster.” FAA employees, including air traffic controllers, are currently working without pay — a situation that could soon result in severe staffing shortages and widespread flight delays.

“Look, it could be a disaster,” Vance said, highlighting that many federal employees are on their third or fourth missed paycheck. “How many of them are not going to show up for work?”

Among those attending the meeting were United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby, American Airlines CEO Robert Isom, and U.S. Travel Association President Geoff Freeman, who revealed that “60% of Americans are already reconsidering their travel plans during the shutdown,” estimating a $1 billion weekly economic loss for the industry.

Industry leaders also expressed concern that continued political gridlock could damage confidence among travelers and international partners ahead of the critical holiday season.

Freeman joined other executives and labor leaders in urging Congress to pass a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government. “Congress should act now,” he told CNN.

The last major shutdown in 2019 saw air traffic controller shortages force temporary airport closures, including at New York’s LaGuardia. This year, with reports of staffing problems at FAA facilities already quadrupling, the situation could prove even more disruptive.

As the Thanksgiving travel period approaches, airlines, unions, and the travel sector are calling for swift political action to avoid what many are already calling an avoidable crisis for U.S. tourism and aviation.