Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg sounded a cautionary note for travelers ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, emphasizing that domestic airports and air-travel services will face “very real constraints” this year due to staffing shortages and ongoing federal shutdown pressures.
Buttigieg pointed to concentrated airport bottlenecks and low reservation cancellations, predicting that disruptions—such as baggage delays and last-minute flight changes—are more likely because airline operations have limited flexibility. He urged passengers to arrive at airports at least two hours before departure for domestic flights and three hours for international journeys.
While U.S. aviation metrics show a slight uptick in passenger volume compared to the same period last year, the number of fully staffed air-traffic towers and ground-crew positions remain below pre-pandemic levels. The secretary said federal aviation officials are “watching very closely” and have advised airlines to reduce schedule sharpness where necessary.
Several major carriers have already begun adjusting their holiday schedules, reserving “flex space” for equipment rotation and ground-staff changes, according to industry analysts. The Transportation Department has also issued guidance encouraging travelers to opt for direct flights when possible and to avoid carry-on luggage when planning connections to major hubs.
As the holiday travel period gets underway, airline executives are bracing for an aviation crunch—one that could extend through December if no policy changes or emergency staffing measures are enacted.