GBTA urges Congress to reach budget deal

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is calling on the United States Congress to take immediate action to reach an agreement on a federal budget and quickly end the government shutdown.

GBTA said that a prolonged shutdown would have far-reaching consequences for the business travel sector and the broader economy.

It would significantly disrupt critical federal operations that underpin the travel infrastructure, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and passport and visa processing services.

While essential personnel may continue working, they would do so without pay, leading to increased absenteeism, longer security lines, flight delays, and cancellations — all of which directly impact business travel.

The association also points out that this year U.S. business travel is anticipated to reach $395.4 billion, making it the top market in the $1.57 trillion global sector.

And according to GBTA’s 2024 U.S. Economic Impact Study, 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.

For every dollar spent on business travel, $1.15 is returned to the U.S. economy in net-new GDP, underscoring the sector’s vital role in driving growth and competitiveness.

Suzanne Neufang, CEO of GBTA, said: “Business travel is a catalyst for economic growth, innovation, and global collaboration. The government shutdown threatens to stall that momentum. We urge Congress to act swiftly and responsibly to pass a budget to re-open the U.S. government and keep our economy moving.”

And Neufang made it clear that: “Productive and essential business travel is threatened in times of economic uncertainty or in an environment of additional barriers and restrictions.”

GBTA calls on lawmakers to prioritize bipartisan cooperation and ensure the continuity of government services that support safe, efficient, and reliable travel.

The association stands ready to work with policymakers to safeguard the interests of the business travel community and the millions of professionals it supports.