By Mackenzie Lynch & Olivia McGuire
The United States government entered a shutdown on October 1, 2025. At the time of writing, it is November 11th, making this shutdown the longest in the nation’s history; following Donald Trump’s first government shutdown, which was 35 days in length. In a 2011 interview Trump stated, “In my opinion, I hear the Democrats are gonna be blamed, I hear Republicans are gonna be blamed, I actually think the president would be blamed….” He then said, “If there is a shutdown ... I think it would be a tremendously negative mark on the president of the United States. He's the one that has to get people together.” This is ironic because he holds not one, but two of the longest government shutdowns in American history under his presidential terms [Update: The shutdown ended officially on November 12th. -Eds.]
A government shutdown occurs when Congress fails to pass the new funding legislation to finance government programs prior to the fiscal year, which begins on October 1st. In a government shutdown, government employees have to work without receiving pay, and federal employees are sent home unpaid. During a government shutdown, non-essential government operations such as National Parks, museums, and public tours of federal buildings are closed, while more essential operations such as air traffic control, and law enforcement continue to operate. Due to the lack of pay however, many government employees abandon their posts, creating employee shortages.
The holiday season is a notoriously challenging and overwhelming time to fly. The last week of November is considered one of the busiest for air travel, as millions of Americans fly across the country to reunite with family over a Thanksgiving feast. The shutdown brings disruptions to air traffic control, resulting in numerous delayed and cancelled flights According to Airlines for America, “the shortage of air traffic controllers delayed or canceled thousands flights during the shutdown, affecting the travel plans of more than five million people.”
With flights canceled left and right, and airports filled to the brim with impatient travelers, the shutdown would make air travel nearly impossible as we approach the holidays. Today, the shutdown comes to an end; however, the effects on air traffic will stay in place. USA Today reported that, “Aviation experts have warned that flight disruptions will persist after the shutdown officially ends as the Federal Aviation Administration contends with widespread staffing shortages and evaluates whether air traffic can return to normal.” It will take time for the air travel industry to regroup. The Bank of America estimates that airlines have lost hundreds of millions in revenue during the shutdown. In addition to airlines, rental car services, hotels, and cruise lines will also feel the negative effects of the shutdown, with them all losing significant amounts of income, creating the potential for inflated prices to reclaim lost profits. Retirement rates rose to an all time high, with around 15 to 20 air traffic controllers retiring per day. These changes will not be easy to remedy, airlines will need to make up for the loss of income and hire hundreds of new employees.
The government shutdown has created multiple challenges on a national scale, but the impact that it had on air travel was extreme. Thousands of flights were cancelled over the course of the thirty-eight day long shutdown, leaving millions of Americans to suffer the consequences and airlines to lose millions of dollars and hundreds of employees. Though the shutdown is not over, the lasting effects will linger as the country attempts to recuperate.