Flight delays resulting from FAA furloughs of air traffic controllers could cost the U.S. $9.3 billion in lost economic output for the fiscal year, according to an analysis by the U.S. Travel Association.
The estimated economic cost of flight delays includes the opportunity cost for air passengers (money that travelers didn’t spend because they were stuck in an airport) and the avoided air travel trips by both domestic and international passengers as a result of delays, U.S. Travel said.
Based on the FAA’s assessment that 6,700 flights per day across the U.S. could be delayed as a result of furloughs, U.S. Travel also said that tax revenue losses could amount to $1.4 billion ($775 million to the federal government and $644 million to state and local governments) and that 83,400 U.S. jobs could be in jeopardy.
“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,” said U.S. Travel CEO Roger Dow. “We also urge Congress to enact a longer-term solution by swiftly passing legislation that ensures the smooth functioning of America’s vital air travel system.”