US Airline CEOs Urge Congress to End Shutdown before Thanksgiving Travel

Top executives from major US airlines, including United, Delta, American, and Southwest Airlines, have urged Congress to approve a clean government funding bill to end the ongoing US federal shutdown.

As the shutdown extends into its second month, staff shortages among air traffic controllers and TSA officers continue to cause flight disruptions nationwide, resulting in longer security lines, flight delays, and increased stress on operations at major airports.

On October 30, 2025, the airline CEOs met at the White House with Vice President JD Vance and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to push for urgent action.

They cautioned that without a funding resolution, the situation could worsen as the Thanksgiving travel rush approaches, one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby called on lawmakers to pass a continuing resolution, stating that broader debates, such as healthcare and other spending disputes, should be addressed after the government reopens.

Although both Vance and Duffy publicly called for swift action, negotiations remain mainly stalled due to disagreements over healthcare subsidies and other policy riders attached to funding bills.

Photo by Brice Cooper on Unsplash