Report: Sequestration-Driven Flight Delays Could Cost U.S. $9.3 Billion

Furloughs of air traffic control personnel by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) — the result of indiscriminate budget cuts required by sequestration — could cause delays for more than 6,700 flights per day across the United States, finds a new analysis of sequestration performed by the U.S. Travel Association.

Released yesterday, the analysis forecasts that sequestration-driven flight delays could cost the United States $9.3 billion in lost economic output directly associated with travelers’ spending between April and Oct. 1, when the new fiscal year begins. Further, they could result in $1.4 billion in lost tax revenue and up to 83,400 lost government jobs — to say nothing of the operational costs borne by airlines.

“Travel has led U.S. economic recovery and supports one out of eight American jobs. Throttling this engine of growth by disrupting air travel makes no sense,” U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow said in a statement. “We remain deeply concerned about predicted air travel delays, and we urge the FAA to insulate critical air traffic control personnel from sequestration-driven furloughs.”

In order to soften the negative blow to travel, the U.S. Travel Association supports the “Essential Services Act of 2013” and the “Dependable Air Service Act of 2013,” both of which would give the FAA the ability to exempt air traffic control personnel from furloughs in order to maintain air travel continuity.

“We … urge Congress to enact a longer-term solution by swiftly passing legislation that ensures the smooth functioning of America’s vital air travel system,” Dow concluded.

Travelers who want to are encouraged to share their opinions about sequestration and travel delays with their members of Congress, according to the U.S. Travel Association, which will send travelers instructions on how to do so when they text “DELAYED” to 877-877.