BUSINESS NEWS


Los Angeles International airport: half of 30 ‘core’ US airports are ‘experiencing staffing shortages’


Fears for Thanksgiving ‘chaos’ due to shutdown


US Travel chief warns of ‘heavy price’ if federal closure continues. By Ian Taylor National parks also reported the


The policies of the current US administration and federal government shutdown, now entering its sixth week, are casting a growing cloud over travel and tourism. The US Travel Association


warned this week of travel “chaos” around Thanksgiving on November 27 if the shutdown continues. US Travel chief Geoff Freeman


said: “Travellers will pay a heavy price in terms of delays, cancellations and lost confidence in air travel.” The Federal Aviation


Administration (FAA) reported 48 6 NOVEMBER 2025


half of the 30 ‘core’ US airports are “experiencing staffing shortages and nearly 80% of air traffic controllers are absent at New York-area facilities”, with staffing levels strained “at multiple facilities” causing “widespread impacts” across the system. The FAA warned it may further


reduce air traffic for safety reasons, with air traffic controllers “under immense stress and fatigue”. Air traffic controllers distributed leaflets at 22 airports last week stating: “No one should be under the illusion that it’s business as usual for aviation safety.”


impacts of the shutdown “piling up” even where parks remain open. However, the impact of Trump


administration policies was being felt before the shutdown began on October 1. Iata reported North American air traffic down year on year in September despite a 1.8% increase in capacity, marking an eighth consecutive month of decline. That was in contrast to a 3.6% rise


Continued on page 46 travelweekly.co.uk


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PICTURES: Shutterstock/Bapake Dul, Rosemarie Mosteller


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