FAA Restrictions Ground Some Travel Plans, But Most Travelers Staying the Course
- Apryl Thomas
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
A new snap survey* by Global Rescue** shows that nearly half of travelers (48 percent) are not changing their travel plans despite the FAA's decision to reduce air traffic in high-volume US markets by 10 percent amid the ongoing government shutdown.
The findings come as the holiday season — the busiest travel period of the year — approaches, when millions of travelers are expected to take to the skies to visit family and friends.
Despite the potential for flight delays and cancellations, most travelers are showing confidence and flexibility in maintaining their plans,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies and a U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board member at the U.S. Department of Commerce, in a released statement.
While most travelers remain undeterred, others are adjusting. About one in four (24 percent) said they are “waiting to see how long the FAA restrictions last” before making any changes, reflecting widespread uncertainty about how long delays and cancellations may persist.
Roughly one in five respondents reported taking action already:
6 percent have rescheduled travel dates to avoid expected disruptions.
6 percent have canceled at least one trip.
4 percent have switched to another mode of transportation such as driving or taking the train.
4 percent have changed airports or routes in hopes of bypassing congested hubs.
Another 16 percent of respondents said the issue doesn’t apply to them because they have no upcoming travel.
“Travelers are taking a wait-and-see approach,” Richards said. “While some are adjusting their plans, nearly half — 48 percent — are staying the course. That patience reflects how adaptable today’s travelers have become to uncertainty, especially with the busy holiday travel season fast approaching.”
Despite the disruption, overall traveler sentiment remains steady. “We’re seeing resilience and pragmatism,” Richards added. “People may reroute or delay a trip, but they’re not giving up on travel altogether.”
*Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, surveyed more than 1,200 current and former members on November 6, 2025. The respondents revealed whether they are changing travel plans due to the FAA reducing air traffic in high-volume markets by 10% due to the US government shutdown.
**Global Rescue is the world's leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services to enterprises, governments and individuals. Founded in 2004, Global Rescue has exclusive relationships with the Johns Hopkins Emergency Medicine Division of Special Operations and Elite Medical Group. Global Rescue provides best-in-class services that identify, monitor and respond to client medical and security crises. Global Rescue has provided medical and security support to its clients, including Fortune 500 companies, governments and academic institutions, during every globally significant crisis of the last two decades.