GBTA urging Congress, Administration to end Global Entry suspension

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is warning that the ongoing suspension of the Global Entry program would increase security and operational risk at U.S. airports and ports of entry, citing the potential for significant disruption of not only leisure travel but also of business travel that supports billions of dollars in direct spending annually in the U.S. and millions of American jobs.

On Feb. 22, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) made the decision to suspend the Global Entry program as a result of the partial U.S. government funding shutdown that began on Feb. 14.

In a letter sent today to key bipartisan congressional leaders, the GBTA outlined how suspending Global Entry would slow airport and border processing, reduce productivity, disrupt corporate travel, strain supply chains and weaken U.S. economic competitiveness — all at a time when companies rely on efficient travel to meet clients, manage operations, and support global commerce.

For the business travel community, suspension of Global Entry, and Trusted Traveler screenings in general, would ultimately have widespread and material consequences.

Suzanne Neufang, CEO of GBTA, said: “Trusted traveler programs like Global Entry are essential to both security and the efficient movement of travelers—they keep airports moving while allowing security officials to focus where it matters most.”

And Neufang added:  “Longer lines, diverted security focus, and lost productivity would be the real cost of suspending these programs, and U.S. companies and their employee travelers would feel those impacts immediately.”

GBTA is urging the U.S. Congress to ensure the Administration maintains and protects Global Entry which is proven and congressionally authorized program. By rigorously vetting travelers in advance through background checks, biometric enrollment, and interviews, Global Entry allows U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to focus limited resources on higher‑risk or unknown travelers while efficiently processing known, low‑risk passengers.

The association is also calling on Congress to swiftly negotiate a bipartisan resolution to end the partial government shutdown to prevent further disruption for air travelers and across the broader travel ecosystem.

According to GBTA research, U.S. business travel spending is projected to reach $395.4 billion this year, making it the top market worldwide. U.S. business travel contributed nearly $421 billion annually in direct spending, supported 6 million jobs, and accounted for almost 2% of U.S. GDP and 3.5% of total employment, underscoring how critical efficient travel is to economic growth and competitiveness. For every $1.00 spent on business travel within the United States, $1.15 is returned to destination communities by way of positive economic impact.

To read the GBTA’s letter, CLICK HERE.