What the federal government shutdown might mean for flights and other travel in the US

US congressional lawmakers have failed to agree on a spending package for the new fiscal year, triggering a federal government shutdown.

That could mean significant travel disruptions for travelers in the US and for visitors from overseas. Impacts could be felt in longer airport lines, muddled itineraries and US National Park closures, including one of the nation’s most popular public tourist sites, the Grand Canyon, which state officials told CNN they cannot afford to keep open if the federal government shuts down. In addition, big losses in tourism revenue could have significant repercussions for the US travel industry.

While many airport employees, including air traffic controllers, are required to show up for work (as they are categorized as essential), they will do so without pay and it’s likely there will be some staffing issues.

The wider impact to the US travel industry could be significant, coming at a time when many tour operators and hospitality industry workers are reeling from the dearth of Canadian travelers, a significant number of whom are vowing to stay away as long as President Trump is in office.

Here’s what travelers need to know.