Government Relations
Be Heard - - Your Voice Matters
Kelly Ferrigno
President
Allison Sayer
Government Relations Chair
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Monthly Updates
Hello fellow GBTA NYC members,
GBTA is fighting for smarter borders, fair access to travel content, sustainable aviation, stronger passenger protections and transportation systems that work as advertised. You know, the basics. Yet somehow, the basics keep turning into full-blown policy thrillers.
Become a GBTA Member: By becoming a GBTA Member, you show vital support for the positions and policies we advocate for and help us to negotiate from a much stronger position when we deal with legislators and policymakers. Learn more & join today>
The Essentials
- Economic Power: New GBTA data shows business travel is a powerful engine for jobs, growth and tax revenue.
- Seamless Europe: GBTA pushes Europe for seamless booking, better rail access and stronger passenger protections.
- SAF Momentum: Corporate SAF gains momentum as the EU weighs book-and-claim rules and a new tourism strategy.
- Security Priorities: GBTA advances U.S. priorities on Quiet Skies, TSA PreCheck and aviation security funding.
Policy Crossroads: New DOT disruption rules and a packed lame-duck agenda could reshape traveler protections and transportation funding.
Washington Watch
Suzanne Neufang October 9 Interview Highlights Bill’s Importance for Business Travel
What’s New: (Watch CNN Interview) On Friday, October 9, GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang was interviewed by Richard Quest on his CNN International show “Quest Means Business” to discuss GBTA’s support for the Quiet Skies Act. Neufang highlighted that the purpose of the bill is simply to implement a rule already included in the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act to improve the business traveler experience by banning in-flight calls. Neufang also touched on the higher overall cost of travel in 2026 noting that, despite rising costs and geopolitical concerns, demand for travel remains high.
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Why It Matters: This interview represents an important step towards growing support for the Quiet Skies Act as we head into the end of this Congress. This issue will materially affect business travelers all across the United States, who rely on a seamless travel experience without serious distractions in order to get to their destinations rested, focused, and ready to maximize value for clients and business partners. GBTA Action: For U.S. based readers, send a note to your member of Congress supporting this legislation by clicking here. Make sure to click on the gray box “Help Keep the Skies Quiet.” GBTA will continue its advocacy for the Quiet Skies Act in 2027. This piece of legislation represents an important step towards improving the business traveler experience and allowing our already booming industry to continue to do so. GBTA is also concentrated on drumming up Senate support for the bill. |
GBTA Meets with Transportation Security Agency (TSA) Administrator to Advance Business Traveler Priorities
What’s New: (On the Road Again) On October 7, Suzanne Neufang, GBTA's CEO, Shane Downey, Vice President of Government Affairs, met with David Cummins, TSA Administrator, to discuss strengthening the relationship between GBTA and TSA, improving the business traveler experience, increasing TSA PreCheck participation, and creating new opportunities for traveler outreach and feedback.
Administrator Cummins emphasized that strong security and passenger service should work together to deliver a more efficient, customer-oriented screening experience. TSA also discussed its goal of increasing TSA PreCheck enrollment by 20 million people over the next three years and explored how GBTA could support greater awareness and participation among business travelers and managed travel programs.
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Why It Matters: Efficient, predictable passenger screening is essential for business travelers, particularly frequent flyers operating on tight schedules. Expanded TSA PreCheck participation and stronger communication among TSA, travel managers, and travelers could help reduce checkpoint friction while maintaining strong aviation security. GBTA Action: GBTA is exploring opportunities to work with TSA on traveler research, regular communications, member education, and structured feedback from business travelers and travel managers. GBTA and TSA also discussed possible TSA participation in future GBTA programming and events. Through this engagement, GBTA will continue providing policymakers with practical feedback on how security policies and screening procedures affect the business travel community. In addition, GBTA has advocated for the SAFEGUARDS (Spending Aviation Fees for Equipment, Guaranteeing Upgraded Advanced Risk Detection and Safety) Act. The bill would stop a long time GBTA fight to end the diversion of the 9/11 Passenger Security Fee and reinvest dollars into the aviation security screening environment. |
DOT Implements New Flight Disruption Classification System
What’s New: (The Waiting) Beginning October 19, a new U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) reporting category will change how airlines classify certain flight delays and cancellations. The change implements a provision in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 and establishes a new category covering 10 specific circumstances that will no longer be reported as events within an airline's control. These include certain cybersecurity incidents, government system failures, medical emergencies, the removal of unruly passengers, damage caused by extreme weather, and several other operational events.
Under the new framework, these disruptions may not trigger the same airline meal, lodging, or transportation commitments that often apply to delays and cancellations considered within an airline's control. Airlines may still choose to provide assistance under their customer-service policies.
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Why It Matters: As organizations continue to prioritize efficient and predictable travel, clear communication regarding delays, cancellations, and available traveler support remains essential. GBTA Action: GBTA continues to advocate for policies that promote transparency, predictability, and a seamless travel experience for business travelers. As DOT implements this new reporting framework, GBTA will monitor its impact on travelers and engage policymakers and industry stakeholders on efforts to improve communication, reduce disruption-related uncertainty, and support efficient business travel. |
Global Stage
Business Travel's Global Economic Impact: A Powerful New Tool for Advocacy
(Kick Start My Heart!) Business travel is more than a driver of commerce. It is a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, investment, and government revenue. New research from GBTA demonstrates that business traveler spending across just 25 leading global business destinations generated an estimated $283 billion in total economic activity, supporting 1.4 million jobs, contributing $93 billion to local GDP, and generating nearly $55 billion in tax revenue.
These findings provide something advocacy professionals have long needed: clear, destination-specific evidence that business travel delivers measurable economic benefits to communities. From New York and London to São Paulo, Singapore, Vienna, and Sydney, the data shows that business travel's value extends far beyond airports, hotels, and convention centers, creating opportunities across entire local economies.
For GBTA members and advocates around the world, this study is an important new resource. Whether engaging policymakers on infrastructure investment, border modernization, travel facilitation, sustainability initiatives, aviation policy, or business mobility, the research helps demonstrate the tangible economic returns generated when governments support efficient and connected travel ecosystems.
As GBTA continues to expand its global advocacy efforts, this data strengthens our ability to tell a compelling story: business travel is not simply an industry sector. It is an economic engine that drives growth, supports jobs, and helps cities and countries remain competitive in a global economy. Armed with this evidence and as we outline for regional champions ways to engage, GBTA members and partners across every region can deliver a strong message to policymakers with confidence and help ensure business travel remains a priority on government agendas worldwide.
