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Global Entry Suspensions Amidst Federal Shutdown Create Business Travel Delays

·5 min read·👀 Watch

Executive Summary

The ongoing partial federal government shutdown has suspended Global Entry operations, forcing travelers to use longer customs lines when arriving in Hawaii. Tourism operators, remote workers, and entrepreneurs relying on expedited international and domestic re-entry schedules should anticipate potential delays and adjust travel plans accordingly.

  • Tourism Operators: Expect potential visitor frustration and minor itinerary disruptions due to increased airport wait times.
  • Remote Workers: Business travelers may face extended layovers or missed connections; monitor flight schedules and customs wait times.
  • Entrepreneurs: Expedite client meetings and supplier visits by factoring in longer arrival times.
  • Investors: Short-term impact on business travel efficiency may have minimal broad market effect but monitor sustained disruption.
  • Action: If frequently traveling internationally or domestically via Global Entry to/from Hawaii, monitor federal shutdown status and be prepared to use standard customs lines.

Watch & Prepare

High PriorityWhile government shutdown persists

The inability to use Global Entry under these conditions can cause significant disruptions and delays to business travel plans if not accounted for.

Monitor the status of the federal government shutdown and official announcements regarding the resumption of Global Entry services. If you are a frequent international traveler through Hawaii, be prepared to use standard immigration lines. For critical business travel, consider adding an extra 60-90 minutes to your expected arrival time at customs. Confirm your flight connections are robust enough to absorb potential delays. Keep an eye on official [U.S. Customs and Border Protection](https://www.cbp.gov/) advisories for the most current information on service status.

Who's Affected
Tourism OperatorsRemote WorkersEntrepreneurs & StartupsInvestors
Ripple Effects
  • →Increased wait times at customs and immigration → Potential for traveler frustration and negative perception of arrival experience → Minor delays in connecting flights or ground transportation → Increased operational strain on airport services and ground handlers → Reduced perceived efficiency of international travel to Hawaii until Global Entry is restored.
Close-up of a passport with COVID-19 test tube and face mask representing travel protocols.
Photo by adrian vieriu

Global Entry Suspensions Amidst Federal Shutdown Create Business Travel Delays

The partial federal government shutdown has led to the suspension of Global Entry services nationwide, including at Hawaii's airports. This means travelers who normally benefit from expedited customs and immigration processing must now revert to standard immigration lines, potentially causing significant delays.

The Change

As of February 24, 2026, Global Entry kiosks and enrollment centers are offline due to the partial federal government shutdown. This suspension impacts all modes of re-entry into the United States for U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who are enrolled in the program. While TSA PreCheck continues to operate for domestic security screening, Global Entry's function for international arrivals at U.S. airports is directly affected. The duration of this suspension is directly tied to the resolution of the federal funding crisis.

Who's Affected

Tourism Operators (Hotels, Tour Companies, Vacation Rentals)

Operators should be aware that an increase in airport wait times could lead to minor delays for arriving tourists, potentially impacting pre-booked ground transportation or initial tour departures. While not a primary concern for overall visitor numbers in the short term, cumulative small delays can contribute to traveler frustration. Businesses that rely on timely airport transfers or immediate post-arrival experiences may need to adjust their scheduling or communicate potential delays to clients.

Remote Workers and Digital Nomads

Remote workers who frequently travel internationally or domestically to and from Hawaii are directly impacted. The suspension of Global Entry means pre-cleared access is unavailable, leading to longer immigration queues upon arrival. This can disrupt scheduled meetings, client calls, or onward travel connections. Individuals should monitor federal shutdown news and be prepared for potentially much longer waits at customs, factoring this into travel time and buffer periods.

Entrepreneurs and Startups

Founders and key personnel in the startup ecosystem often rely on efficient travel for investor meetings, conferences, and business development. The inability to use Global Entry adds significant, unpredictable time to arrivals, potentially causing missed meetings or the need to reschedule critical business engagements. Scaling operations that involve inter-island or international travel will also face added friction. Entrepreneurs should proactively communicate potential travel delays to stakeholders and build in extra time for arrivals, particularly if relying on immediate onward transport.

Investors (VCs, Angel Investors, Portfolio Managers)

While the direct impact on overall market conditions may be minimal unless the shutdown is prolonged, investors who travel frequently for due diligence, portfolio management, or to meet with companies will experience personal inconvenience and potential scheduling conflicts. For those with investments in Hawaii-reliant sectors, monitoring the efficiency of travel and logistics can be an indicator of broader economic friction. Sustained disruptions to business travel could indirectly affect deal flow and operational efficiency for companies they invest in.

Second-Order Effects

Increased wait times at customs and immigration → Potential for traveler frustration and negative perception of arrival experience → Minor delays in connecting flights or ground transportation → Increased operational strain on airport services and ground handlers → Reduced perceived efficiency of international travel to Hawaii until Global Entry is restored.

What to Do

Watch: Monitor the status of the federal government shutdown and official announcements regarding the resumption of Global Entry services. The risk is directly proportional to the duration of the shutdown.

Action Details: If you are a frequent international traveler through Hawaii, be prepared to use standard immigration lines. For critical business travel, consider adding at least an extra 60-90 minutes to your expected arrival time at customs. Business travelers should also confirm their flight connections are robust enough to absorb potential delays. Keep an eye on official U.S. Customs and Border Protection advisories for the most current information on service status and any potential changes.

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