Shutdown impacting air travel demand
US airlines are experiencing a drop off in customer demand as the government shutdown enters its 37th day.
Airlines for America, the trade group representing major airlines, says airlines are seeing wek demand.
It says it started to drop off about a week ago and is now ‘growing a little bit every day.’
in passenger bookings as a government shutdown hit a record 36th day on Wednesday.
“We started seeing as an industry pull back on folks booking their travel plans just over a week ago. We’re trying to encourage people to stick with their bookings, stick with their travel plans,” A4A said.
The group represents the interests of airlines such as Delta, American, United Airlines and others.
A4A says it hasn’t yet seen a major shift to travelers canceling their bookings.
The shutdown is now the longest in history.
The trade group recently revealed that about 3.4 million passengers have been impacted by delays and cancelations so far caused by staffing shortages.
Federal workers in air traffic control and TSA officers are working without pay.
Vice President JD Vance warned the Thanksgiving holiday period could become a ‘disaster’ due to increasing wait times at airports and regular ground stops caused by ATC staffing shortages
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