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As the shutdown continues, travelers face staffing shortages, shuttered museums and reduced park services that could complicate holiday weekend plans.
WASHINGTON — The federal government is in its 11th day of a shutdown, leaving many travelers with questions about how it may impact their upcoming plans.
The shutdown began Oct. 1 after lawmakers in Congress failed to reach a deal on a funding bill, forcing federal agencies to furlough their “non-essential” workers. Those considered essential, such as air traffic controllers and TSA agents, are still on the job but without pay.
As the shutdown continues, key parts of the U.S. travel system are beginning to feel the ripple effects. Here’s what travelers need to know.
Will there be flight delays during the government shutdown?
Travelers should prepare for potential disruptions, especially around the holidays.
Airlines for America, the trade group representing major carriers like Delta, United and American, said air traffic controller staffing shortages have already delayed flights at airports in Burbank, California, and Nashville, Tennessee.
“It is safe to fly, but ATC staffing shortages strain the system and cause flights to be spaced out, slowing down everything. In some cases, flights may be delayed or even canceled,” the group told CNBC.
Essential aviation safety personnel are required to work without pay. The National Air Traffic Controllers Association, which represents those workers, told ABC News the first missed paycheck will hit Oct. 28.
Weather and other non-shutdown-related factors are still primary causes of most delays, but in past shutdowns, sick calls from unpaid workers eventually caused significant slowdowns at airports.
“It is normal for a few air traffic controllers to call in sick on any given day, and this is the latest example of how fragile our aviation system is in the midst of a national shortage of these critical safety professionals,” the union told the outlet.
Union members are planning informational demonstrations at airports in New York, D.C., Chicago, and Philadelphia to raise awareness about how the shutdown may affect efficiency.
Despite some strain, flight delay numbers currently remain below average according to FlightAware data.
Is Amtrak affected by the government shutdown?
No immediate impact to Amtrak travel is expected.
Amtrak trains are still running on schedule nationwide and into Canada. While the company receives some federal funding, it operates as a for-profit corporation and expects to continue service as normal during the shutdown.
“Amtrak can’t operate indefinitely without receiving payments to its operations account for the Northeast Corridor and National Network,” the Rail Passengers Association said. “Based on prior experience, it is very unlikely that the shutdown will last long enough to affect Amtrak’s day-to-day operations.”
Are passports still being processed during the government shutdown?
Passengers can currently expect their passports to be processed as usual because they are funded primarily by application fees, not tax dollars. Routine passport processing remains at four to six weeks, with expedited service still available in two to three weeks for an extra $60.
Still, travelers are advised to apply as early as possible. If the shutdown drags on for weeks or months, those services could slow down or become impacted if resources tighten.
Can I still apply for a visa or immigration benefit during the government shutdown?
Most visa and immigration operations are continuing as normal. Like passport services, many of these programs are fee-funded.
Immigration court cases involving detained individuals are still proceeding. However, cases for non-detained individuals are being postponed until funding is restored.
“Immigration court cases on the detained docket should still proceed during a lapse in congressional appropriations while non-detained docket cases will be reset for a later date when funding resumes,” a fact sheet shared by several members of Congress says. “The Department of Homeland Security estimates that Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement should retain the vast majority of their employees during a shutdown.”
Are museums like the Smithsonian still open?
The Smithsonian Institution, home to 21 museums and the National Zoo, initially used prior-year funds to stay open through Oct. 11. But as of Sunday, Oct. 12, all Smithsonian museums and the zoo will be closed due to the lapse in federal funding.
“Our museums, research centers, and the National Zoo are open through Saturday, October 11. If the government shutdown continues past October 11, Smithsonian locations will be closed starting Sunday, October 12,” the Smithsonian website says.
Among the institutions shuttering are the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of Natural History, and the National Air and Space Museum, as well as the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.
Are national parks still open?
Yes, but with small caveats.
All 63 national parks remain open for public access, but amenities such as visitor centers, bathroom maintenance and trash collection may be limited or unavailable.
The Department of the Interior says parks will post signs indicating whether services are active or suspended. In some areas, parks may close specific sites or roads if safety, weather, or health becomes a concern. Past shutdowns have led to sanitation issues and even vandalism in national parks, prompting some advocates to push for full closures to protect resources.
