The nation’s largest airlines are calling for a compromise in Congress and an end to the federal government shutdown.
The carriers made their latest plea at a roundtable meeting at the White House on Thursday involving Vice President JD Vance, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and the industry group Airlines for America, whose members include United, Delta, American Airlines, Southwest, Alaska Airlines, and JetBlue, among others. The talks centered on the growing strain felt by FAA air traffic controllers, TSA personnel, and Customs and Border Protection officers, who have been working without pay since the shutdown began on Oct. 1.
“We urge Congress to act with urgency to reopen the government,” A4A said in a statement. “The quickest and simplest way to do that – and to ensure critical employees are paid on time – is by passing a clean [continuing resolution].”
The huddle at the White House came two days after the thirteenth attempt to reopen the federal government – this one led by Republicans – failed in Congress.
At a press conference held after the meeting, United CEO Scott Kirby warned that the government shutdown could destabilize the transportation sector and the broader U.S. economy if it continues for much longer.
“It’s putting stress on the economy,” he told reporters. “The first couple weeks, this had no impact on the economy. But as every day goes by, the impacts start to grow, and airlines are a pretty good real-time indicator of the economy. And we’re starting to see – still minor – but a booking impact… We’re putting the whole economy at risk.”
Kirby also reiterated A4A’s call for a continuing resolution, which would allow the government to reopen while lawmakers work out the details of a larger budget.
“It has been 30 days,” he said. “I also think it is time to pass a clean CR. Use that as an opportunity to get into a room behind closed doors and negotiate on the real and substantive issues that the American people want our politicians on both sides of the aisle to solve.”
American, Delta, and Southwest issued similar statements in favor of reopening the government, according to a report from The Hill.
Holiday Warning
Transportation officials have noted a slight uptick in the number of air traffic controllers and other essential personnel calling out of work sick, resulting in flight delays and temporary ground stops at some of the nation’s busiest airports. This includes Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, where lawmakers rushing home for the weekend after the latest failed vote faced a 90-minute delay after the FAA issued a ground stop connected to staffing issues.
Vance warned Thursday that a holiday travel meltdown could be in store unless Congress finds a way to reopen the government.
“Look, it could be a disaster,” Vance said, according to CNN. “It really could be, because at that point you’re talking about people who have missed three paychecks. They’ve missed four paychecks. How many of them are not going to show up for work?”
“That’s going to lead to massive delays,” he added. “We want people to be able to get home for Thanksgiving. We want people to be able to travel for business.”
