Those planning a visit to the United States often face this query: Is it safe to travel? News headlines during President Donald Trump’s second term depict images of disorder, uncertainty, misconduct, and broken conventions.
Can one revel in a holiday within such a nation?
You can imagine two circles of a Venn diagram: One represents the Trump-spurred disruption and sense of
perma-crisis
He introduces another aspect which covers fundamental aviation safety along with enjoying oneself. Certainly, these two elements cannot remain distinct indefinitely. When and if they intersect, would this occur during your vacation in the United States?
In January, the US experienced one of its deadliest air crashes in recent years when an American Airlines flight collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter nearby.
Reagan National Airport
In Virginia, 67 individuals were killed. Initial investigations brought up concerns regarding crowd density in the region and the adequacy of air traffic control personnel.
A perhaps more pressing example in the era of Trump: air traffic controllers at Newark Liberty airport near New York
lost radar vision
And radio communication with flights on April 28. Following this, some air traffic controllers were so disturbed that they opted for trauma leave.
Following the incident, the CEO of United Airlines, who operates through Newark airport, reduced flight schedules for safety reasons. An influencing element is that Newark currently has a runway closure scheduled to be resolved in June.
To grasp the scale of the challenge facing the US overall, think about this: Australia has approximately 3800 commercial flights each day. By contrast, the United States sees around 27,500 daily flights, with air traffic controllers managing up to 5000 aircraft at once during busy times.
For many years, the Federal Aviation Administration has been working towards modernizing its workforce and infrastructure, with an aim to recruit additional air traffic controllers. Currently, there are approximately 14,000 air traffic controllers employed across the United States, including almost 2000 who were brought onboard just last year. Nonetheless, this hiring spree falls short by about 3000 personnel needed to meet demand.
Trump has mostly inherited this issue, although he had four previous years as president to tackle it.
Nevertheless, it remains uncertain whether Trump has both the inclination and capability to enhance conditions for U.S. air traffic control. Shortly following the January accident near Washington, Trump
blamed
“diversity, equity, and inclusion” recruits enhance the effectiveness of air traffic controllers.
In a statement at the time, Trump alleged that under President Joe Biden, the FAA “deliberately recruited and employed people who had ‘significant intellectual’ impairments as well as mental health issues…”
Upon his return to office in January, Trump brought along billionaire campaign supporter Elon Musk and introduced an ambitious plan dubbed DOGE (the Department of Government Efficiency) aimed at significantly reducing governmental operations.
The FAA air traffic controllers are exempt from the DOGE reductions and are currently being recruited. However, this exemption does not apply at higher management levels.
Washington Post
reports, consistent with the DOGE purges,
There has been a mass departure of individuals.
.
American air traffic control is ready for an overhaul. As highlighted by the Brookings Institution, “There is widespread agreement among numerous committees and specialist studies that air traffic management should be treated as a 24/7 high-tech services ‘industry’.”
stuck within a regulatory body
This means that the budget allocated for its modernization is continually being consumed by the expenses related to sustaining older systems.
Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, addressed concerns from journalists in New York on May 13, stating, “Safety remains our top priority at Newark. The situation is completely secure even during such incidents. Our pilots undergo extensive training with alternative protocols ensuring the safety of flights. Regardless of losing communication or radar, we possess secondary measures.”
Kirby deserves recognition for tackling this matter head-on. He has openly addressed how both United Airlines and the U.S. aviation industry have been affected by the FAA regulations and actions taken under Trump’s administration.
In April, as everyone around the globe observed and anticipated the unfolding of Trump’s tariff tactics, Kirby provided only one.
but two earnings estimates
, based on whether the actions of the US president led to a recession or not.
Trump,
during his initial 100 days in office
, has implemented hiring freezes throughout governmental agencies, removed job safeguards for federal workers, and significantly reduced the size of the U.S. government while consolidating authority within the White House.
The leader of the US Department of Transportation, Sean Duffy — a previous congressman, prosecutor, and erstwhile reality TV star — has unveiled a proposal anticipated to cost several billion dollars aimed at overhauling the nation’s air traffic control system within four years. This initiative has President Trump’s backing.
Yet, the true challenge lies in how it’s executed.
Moreover, numerous air traffic control organisations globally are currently working on restrengthening their workforce. For instance, Airservices Australia is actively hiring and educating new controllers. As stated by a representative from the firm, “By the middle of this year, we anticipate having more than enough controllers.”
However, in the US, the issue is long-standing and deeply rooted. Both Americans and visitors face considerable uncertainty.
It’s not only about the worry over accidents; it’s also all the waiting, delays, and disturbances experienced on the ground that make such a significant portion of travel in the US quite bothersome.
Regarding Newark Liberty Airport, Kirby reduced flight operations due to the safety concern and made announcements accordingly.
two
messages
exhorting regulators to take further action despite his insistence that the system is safe. Not everyone agrees.
William McGee, a senior fellow for aviation and travel at the American Economic Liberties Project, told NPR that he simply did not “perceive the gravity or the determination from this administration” when it came to tackling the issues with the FAA.
Even though Kirby critiques the FAA and U.S. aviation policies, he endorses President Trump’s aim to revive lucrative employment opportunities within the States, describing this objective as “admirable.” He points out that United Airlines remains one of the scarce corporations in America capable of offering such roles—positions allowing employees to earn six-figure salaries, sustain their families comfortably, afford homes, and send their children to higher education with just a high school diploma under their belt.
Kirby says he is taking a wait-and-see approach to Trump on the economy and tariffs. Speaking the day after Trump announced a reduction in tariffs with China, Kirby said: “Everyone should kind of take a breath because we’re not at the end game yet. We’re not at the new normal yet”.
No matter the result, United Airlines is making a significant bet on the future. Having been the sole American carrier to continue flying to Australia during the COVID-19 lockdowns, United is now increasing its flight capacities to the country.
From November through March, United claims it held the position of the biggest airline operator between the US and Australia based on available seat miles.
Although most of these flights involved Americans visiting Australia, Australian travelers heading to the U.S. also make up a significant portion.
From its bases in Los Angeles and San Francisco, United operates flights connecting Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne. Starting in December, they will launch a route from San Francisco to Adelaide as well.
Despite the challenges posed by aging infrastructure and delays in the US aviation sector, United Airlines is adapting to these conditions. For instance, their mobile application enables passengers to monitor their flight’s status and offers real-time updates about gate changes, including detailed terminal layouts upon arrival.
The impact goes beyond reducing certain levels of doubt and bewilderment; it also imparts an enhanced sense of control over the experience—specifically air travel within the U.S.—which has become notably characterized by feelings of powerlessness among those facing delays and diversions.
In the domain of long-distance travel, United is stepping up its efforts to draw in more of those funds.
At the Duggal Greenhouse within the Brooklyn Navy Yard, United hosted an event featuring elements from their latest Polaris Studio class seats, showcases of larger video monitors, exhibits of novel beverages and cuisine—such as Aperol Spritzes—and presentations by company leaders. Guests also had opportunities for guided tours and discussions with specialists in various fields, all while enjoying demonstrations of United’s business-class interpretations of George Gershwin’s compositions.
Rhapsody in Blue
Played through the speakers. They also had an abundance of the airline’s trademark ice cream sundaes available.
Prior to Kirby stepping onto the platform to unveil significant enhancements in seating arrangements, murmurs started circulating on one side of the auditorium. These chants intensified as members of the flight attendants’ union stormed into the hall, shouting: “What do we desire? A contract! When do we want it? Now!”
In a tumultuous America reminiscent of Trump’s era, this scenario appeared fittingly consistent with past trends. Could an increased emphasis on better salaries be considered part of the “new normal”?
However, the fear and disdain in American politics, coupled with concerns over leadership, instill worry among tourists visiting the US.
Even though people feel angry and worried about Trump’s tariffs and his threats towards Canada and Greenland, much like numerous aspects of the Trump administration, what seemed certain has become uncertain.
Declines in arrivals were reported during Trump’s initial 100 days marked by turmoil.
According to data from the US International Trade Administration, the number of Australians visiting the United States increased by 1 percent to reach 89,363 people in April compared to the same period last year. For the first four months up until April, this trend continued.
narrowed by 0.2 percent
during the same timeframe in 2024.
The same statistics indicate the count of Europeans traveling to the US.
fell 15.9 per cent
In the year ending March compared to the corresponding period in 2024.
However, during the initial four-month period of the year, apart from Canada, it appears that the negative reaction isn’t ongoing. The number of tourists from Europe visiting the United States increased by 11.5 percent up until April.
The discrepancy might have resulted from Easter, a significant travel occasion in Europe, occurring in March of the previous year, which could have distorted the expectations for this year’s data.
Nevertheless, the Trump effect persists.
The US president and his team take pleasure in acting as agents of disruption.
And these are disruptors emerging following decades of American politics where industries often had disproportionate control over their own regulations.
US aviation is facing numerous disruptions. Regardless of who holds the presidency, the nation requires meaningful reforms to tackle these issues.
As Kirby from United pointed out: “Almost all of our delays and cancellations are due to air traffic control.”
Chris Zappone went to New York as a guest of United Airlines.
