Shutdown could create a ‘Thanksgiving travel crisis’

In a letter to congressional leadership, the U.S. Travel Association warns of a “Thanksgiving travel crisis” if the government shutdown continues. “Travelers will pay a heavy and completely unnecessary price in terms of delays, cancellations and lost confidence in the air travel experience,” U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman said. The trade group, joined by nearly 500 travel-industry organizations and companies, notes that the record-long, 36-day shutdown has cost the travel economy more than $4 billion. Last year, more than 20 million passengers took flights in the U.S. during Thanksgiving week. The FAA said yesterday that it was ordering airline traffic reductions by 10% in 40 airports starting Friday.