"Planning a Big Trip to the U.S.? Trouble Ahead... Statue of Liberty and Grand Canyon May Be Off-Limits"

Controllers and TSA Staff to Work Without Pay, Disruptions Expected
Operations at Major Tourist Sites, Including National Parks, Set to Be Suspended

The U.S. federal government has entered a shutdown, which is expected to deal a significant blow to the American travel industry. On October 1, Yonhap News, citing CNN, reported that the shutdown could cause considerable disruptions for international travelers visiting the United States. While flights will continue to operate, frequent delays and cancellations are expected to become commonplace.

The U.S. federal government has entered a shutdown, which is expected to deal a significant blow to the American travel industry. Photo by AP Yonhap News

Air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees, who are responsible for airport security screenings, are classified as essential personnel and will continue to work during the shutdown, but they will not receive pay. According to a plan released by the Department of Transportation in March, approximately 13,000 air traffic controllers are expected to work without pay during the shutdown. This unpaid work may lead to staffing shortages, which in turn could result in flight disruptions and longer wait times at security checkpoints.

During the first Trump administration, a similar shutdown in January 2019 saw 10 air traffic controllers simultaneously call in sick, causing a temporary suspension of operations at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. This led to delays at other major hub airports, including those in New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Atlanta. The incident contributed to ending the shutdown at that time, as disruptions to air travel forced then-President Trump, who had been in a standoff with Congress, to agree to a temporary budget bill. The Federal Aviation Administration's training for over 2,000 newly hired air traffic controllers in 2025 is also expected to be suspended during the shutdown.

Temporary Closures Expected at Major U.S. Tourist Destinations, Including the Grand Canyon

Due to the impact of this shutdown, many national parks, including Arizona’s Grand Canyon-a leading tourist destination in the United States-are expected to close. An Arizona state government official told CNN that the state government cannot cover the operating costs of the Grand Canyon if a federal shutdown occurs. CNN also reported that the Statue of Liberty, operated by the National Park Service (NPS), could potentially close. The National Parks Conservation Association, an independent organization, predicted that the shutdown would close 433 parks nationwide, which would also affect local economies, including restaurants and gas stations.

On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona remained open on the first day of the government shutdown, with a steady flow of visitors continuing to come to the park. Photo by AP Yonhap News

Major museums, including the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, may also be affected. The Smithsonian Institution announced that it would use last year’s budget to keep the museums open until October 6. However, rail service operated by the independent Amtrak will not be affected by the shutdown. Additionally, passport and visa services, as well as consular support for Americans abroad, will continue as normal. CNN expressed concern that the shutdown could have a severe impact on the travel industry, especially as it comes at a time when the industry is already struggling due to a sharp decline in Canadian tourists in response to the Trump administration.

Furthermore, there are concerns that delays in the release of key economic data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics could create an information gap for the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decisions. The Congressional Budget Office previously estimated that the economic damage caused by the first Trump administration shutdown amounted to $3 billion (4.21 trillion won).