As the United States recovers from a 43-day government shutdown, millions of travellers are preparing for one of the busiest Thanksgiving weekends on record. Experts say the travel system should stabilise in time for the holiday, but a 'normal' Thanksgiving still means crowded roads, long airport queues and full flights.
During the shutdown, thousands of federal employees, including TSA officers and air traffic controllers, worked without pay, leading to staffing shortages and delays. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an emergency order restricting airspace and mandating flight reductions, but those restrictions have now been lifted after Congress passed a funding bill.
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), nearly 82 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home this Thanksgiving, making it one of the busiest on record. Of those, 73 million are expected to travel by car, with an additional 1.3 million on the road compared to last year. AAA recommends leaving before noon on 25 November or before 11:00 on 26 November to avoid the worst traffic.
Air travel is also expected to be busy, with last-minute fare deals potentially drawing more passengers. Travellers are advised to arrive early for flights and expect long security lines. Despite the shutdown, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that 'controllers have returned to their posts and normal operations can resume'.
However, experts warn of long-term fallout, as the US is already short almost 3,000 air traffic controllers. Erik Hansen of the US Travel Association noted that the shutdown may deter potential new hires, worsening the shortage. He hopes the FAA can now focus on improving airport technology and hiring additional staff.
