Industry leaders are optimistic about a swift recovery to airline operations following the recent record-setting government shutdown, which led to thousands of flight cancellations and delays. Among those is Chris Dane, president of Hickory Global Partners, who recently appeared on LiveNOW from Fox to discuss the shutdown's impact on air travel and what travelers can expect in the coming weeks.
The recent 43-day government shutdown created considerable uncertainty for both airlines and travelers, amplified when Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy announced emergency reductions in operations of up to 10% across 40 major airports due to air traffic controller shortages, just weeks before Thanksgiving—the busiest travel holiday in the United States.
Dane was encouraged by the pace of recovery following the government’s reopening on Nov. 12, noting that those planned flight reductions had already been cut in half from 6% to 3%.
“From the minute the government looked like they were going to have an agreement, the delays began to get less and less,” he explained. In a subsequent post on Hickory Global Partners’ LinkedIn profile, Dane expressed his team’s relief at the timing, writing:
"We at Hickory Global Partners are so happy the shutdown ended when it did, before we get into the holiday travel season.”
The shutdown exposed critical vulnerabilities in the nation's air traffic control infrastructure. According to Dane, the industry entered this shutdown already facing an air traffic controller shortage—a worse starting position than during the previous shutdown, which was ironically the second-longest in history.
This staffing challenge forced the implementation of reduced flight schedules—an unprecedented move that had never been done before on such a broad scale.
Despite these challenges, airlines responded effectively. Dane praised carriers for their communication efforts through individual airline apps and their work to minimize customer disruption. International flights experienced the least impact, while regional jet operations and high-frequency domestic routes saw the most significant reductions.
While the shutdown will impact fourth-quarter results for airlines and may soften Thanksgiving travel numbers slightly, Dane expressed optimism about the industry's resilience.
“I think it will snap back very quickly as if it never happened, because travel has a very strong priority within individual or family budgets,” he told LiveNOW host Christy Matino.
The recovery is already evident. Flight delays and cancellations have improved daily since the shutdown ended, and operations are returning to normal faster than many anticipated. Airlines have adapted to managing the reduced schedules, and as restrictions continue to ease, travelers can expect increasingly reliable service.
Dane identified two critical issues that must be addressed to prevent future disruptions:
“Obviously, pay air traffic controllers and TSA in the event of any kind of shutdown, just as we do certain other parts of the government,” Dane emphasized.
Without this protection, he warned, “this will be a rinse and repeat” situation whenever government funding lapses.
The FAA currently has 2,000 air traffic controllers in training, but the agency remains approximately 1,500 controllers short of optimal staffing levels, according to Dane. The challenge is compounded by the time required to train new controllers—a process that takes several years before they can independently manage operations. The shutdown also triggered an unexpected surge in retirements, creating an even larger staffing gap.
As the airline industry navigates this recovery period, Hickory Global Partners continues supporting corporate travel agencies, travel management companies, and corporate travel departments with the resources and expertise they need to serve their clients effectively.
Through Hickory Solutions365's 24/7/365 fulfillment center, members have access to expert travel advisors who can help navigate schedule changes, rebooking needs, and travel disruptions. This level of support becomes especially valuable during periods of industry uncertainty when travelers need immediate assistance, regardless of time zone.
As Hickory Global Partners' industry-leading alliance continues bridging the gap between members and suppliers, the company remains committed to helping corporate travel programs navigate challenges while delivering unparalleled value and support.
For more information about how Hickory Global Partners supports corporate travel programs through industry challenges and opportunities, visit hickoryglobalpartners.com or contact our team to discover how membership can transform your travel program.