Travellers sit in a darkened airport terminal as they wait. Travel Pulse Canada
Canada’s foreign affairs office issued a travel update for the United States yesterday. The message warns that the ongoing U.S. government shutdown is affecting air travel. Flights are facing cancellations and long delays. Travellers are advised to check with their airline before heading to the airport.
The travel risk level did not change. It remains at green, meaning normal safety precautions are still in effect.
Canada has updated its advisory several times lately. Earlier announcements warned travellers with passports marked “X” or those living in the U.S. about visa risks. At U.S. border crossings, Canadians have faced strict rules. For example, some have been photographed or fingerprinted after staying over a month. Their electronics were also subject to searches.
Insurance Won’t Fill All the Gaps
While airlines remain responsible for refunding cancelled flights, many travel insurance plans won’t cover losses linked to the shutdown. A Toronto insurance executive explained that any policy bought after the travel warning will likely not cover shutdown-related issues. “After that date, any purchase of a policy will not cover anything related to the government shutdown or related air controller issues,” he said.
Insurers say they don’t cover events that are already known or expected. Since this shutdown is now public and ongoing, it counts as “foreseeable.” Another insurance expert put it clearly:
“The key here... is having insurance in place before the advisory went in place, because now it’s considered a ‘known event’.”
Some travellers may still be covered if they booked using certain credit cards. But it's worth reading the fine print. Coverage might only apply if you paid with that card, and it may not cover everything.
What You Should Do
If you’re planning to travel to the U.S., make sure you:
- Check directly with your airline for cancellations or changes.
- Review your travel insurance and credit card terms carefully.
- Understand that if your booking happened after the advisory, you may not be protected.
- Be patient at airports — Canada-U.S. travel is facing unusual strain.
Even when the shutdown ends, the effects will linger. Airlines and airports will need time to recover from lost staff and delayed flights. Travelling right now means being prepared for hiccups.
