Potential government shutdown could impact air travel for the holidays

WINDSOR, Conn. (WGGB/WSHM) – Christmas is just days away and as holiday travelers hit the airport, a potential government shutdown that could impact air travel is looming.

On Friday, we spoke with travelers at Bradley International Airport, who are looking forward to spending the holidays somewhere much warmer than western Mass.

The Kane family of Brookfield Connecticut were getting ready to board a plane to Florida when we met.

“Usually flying out of this airport, we get pretty lucky,” Alison Kane said. “We’re hoping for smooth travel.”

With Friday’s snowy weather and AAA predicting record numbers of road travel, Allison is happy to get out Of New England for Christmas.

“We have family on Cape Cod too so we were there for Thanksgiving, so, I’m glad we’re not driving down there again especially with this weather.”

Meanwhile, a potential government shutdown is looming which could impact air travel. The Transportation Security Administration provided us with a statement that reads:

“Part of the Department of Homeland Security, 59,000 of the agency’s 62,000+ employees are considered essential and would continue working without pay in the event of a shutdown. We expect to screen 40 million people over the holidays and through January 2nd, while our personnel have prepared to handle high volumes of travelers and ensure the security of our transportation systems, an extended shutdown could mean longer wait times at airports.”

The Kanes, however, don’t seem worried.

“Getting stuck in Florida is never really a bad thing,” Allison joked.

Neither does Savannah, Georgia resident Christian Marquez who was traveling back home for the holidays after spending the week in New London, Connecticut for military training.

“It’s nothing new, it happens every year type of thing. I don’t really worry about it, it usually slides through,” he said.

Bradley International Airport told us from Dec. 18th to 26th, they expect to see more than 93,000 people departing.

To be clear, those don’t include those flying into Bradley. As a reminder, the airport suggests showing up for your flight with time to spare and stay connected to your airline.

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