Now in its sixth week, the U.S. federal shutdown is hitting the aviation system hard. A WISH-TV report updated at 10:37 a.m. on November 8 confirms 29 flight cancellations and 44 delays at Indianapolis International, mirroring similar disruptions at airports nationwide. The culprit: acute staffing shortfalls at the Transportation Security Administration, where officers have missed two paychecks.
Union representative Myles Wagner told reporters that dozens of screeners have already quit or taken unpaid leave because they cannot afford rent and utilities. Remaining staff are working mandatory overtime, raising concerns about fatigue-related security lapses. Travelers have begun arriving four hours early, and airlines warn that the Thanksgiving peak could become unmanageable if the shutdown drags on.
![Government shutdown triggers flight cancellations as unpaid TSA staff reach breaking point]()
For corporate travel managers the immediate tasks are to revise risk assessments, authorize flexible rebooking and budget for potential overnight stays when connecting flights mis-connect. Companies with critical travelers—maintenance engineers, medical personnel, C-suite executives—should consider TSA PreCheck or CLEAR memberships to mitigate wait times, though neither program is immune if staffing deteriorates further.
Industry groups estimate the shutdown is costing the U.S. travel economy more than US$150 million per day, with knock-on effects on hotel occupancy and car-rental fleets. Pressure is mounting on Congress to pass at least a temporary funding bill to keep TSA and FAA personnel paid.
Union representative Myles Wagner told reporters that dozens of screeners have already quit or taken unpaid leave because they cannot afford rent and utilities. Remaining staff are working mandatory overtime, raising concerns about fatigue-related security lapses. Travelers have begun arriving four hours early, and airlines warn that the Thanksgiving peak could become unmanageable if the shutdown drags on.
For corporate travel managers the immediate tasks are to revise risk assessments, authorize flexible rebooking and budget for potential overnight stays when connecting flights mis-connect. Companies with critical travelers—maintenance engineers, medical personnel, C-suite executives—should consider TSA PreCheck or CLEAR memberships to mitigate wait times, though neither program is immune if staffing deteriorates further.
Industry groups estimate the shutdown is costing the U.S. travel economy more than US$150 million per day, with knock-on effects on hotel occupancy and car-rental fleets. Pressure is mounting on Congress to pass at least a temporary funding bill to keep TSA and FAA personnel paid.
