The DOT’s efforts to modernize ATC gear throughout the nation that started earlier in 2025 will be capable to proceed for the close to future, as Duffy says the DOT has pulled ahead $12.5 billion of that funding. However, the improvement, testing, and analysis of sure new expertise in air site visitors management operations—an FAA initiative known as NextGen—can be paused throughout the shutdown, per the DOT’s contingency plan. That means a delay to the roll out of sorely wanted gear enhancements in airports round the nation.
Passports and visas
The State Department will proceed to course of passport and visa applications as common. The Bureau of Consular Affairs and the US Passport Agency will each stay open and operational throughout the shutdown, per the company’s web site.
The fall months are typically the slow season when it comes to the variety of passport functions, so when you’ve got paperwork for a brand new passport pending, anticipate to obtain your little blue ebook inside the routine four-to six-week processing window.
The State Department can even proceed helping American residents who’re overseas, however sure home assist for consular operations is suspended.
Customs and Border Protection
More than 4,500 personnel from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the company which oversees airport customs and immigration, will probably be furloughed, in keeping with a shutdown plan from the Department of Homeland Security.
However, the remainder of the workforce, greater than 60,000 workers, will nonetheless be required to point out up for work and not using a paycheck. For vacationers, that signifies that passport checks at airport immigration kiosks, in addition to customs operations, ought to proceed as common.
CBP additionally oversees the Global Entry program, and it’s not clear if these functions and appointments will nonetheless be processed, as the Department of Homeland Security didn’t point out Global Entry in its shutdown plan. Several members of Congress be aware on their web sites that Global Entry appointments will probably be suspended, nevertheless a CBP spokesperson told Barron’s that processing functions and scheduling appointments wouldn’t be delayed. (Condé Nast Traveler has reached out to CBP for extra info.)
Which nationwide parks are open throughout the authorities shutdown?
US nationwide parks will probably be stored partially open throughout the period of the authorities shutdown, in keeping with a National Park Service (NPS) contingency plan revealed on September 30. Accessible areas reminiscent of park roads, lookouts, trails, and open-air websites “will generally remain accessible to visitors,” the plan says, whereas buildings and monuments, reminiscent of park customer facilities, will probably be closed.