Davids Urges Trump Administration to Provide Financial Relief for Travelers Stranded by Recent Government-Directed Flight Restrictions

Today, Representative Sharice Davids joined her colleagues in urging Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy of the Trump Administration to provide financial relief to passengers impacted by temporary flight restrictions imposed January 3–4, 2026, following U.S. military action in Venezuela.

“Although the restrictions were implemented to ensure the safety of the flying public, this resulted in the cancellation of hundreds of flights…, leaving thousands of passengers stranded during a peak holiday travel period,” wrote Davids and her colleagues. “While we appreciate the FAA’s and airlines’ swift response and their assistance to passengers in rebooking travel, we urge the Administration to deploy all available resources to support passengers, so they are not left to absorb the unexpected financial costs resulting from these government-directed flight restrictions.”

One of the families impacted was a group of nine from Overland Park, Kansas, during their annual trip. Their travel plans were upended when the FAA imposed the flight restrictions, forcing them to leave their hotel in Antigua after their booking ended on January 3. As hotels across the island quickly filled, the family scrambled to find alternate accommodations while facing mounting costs and growing concerns about access to necessary medications as they waited to return home.

Davids’ office immediately opened an official case with the U.S. Department of State’s Consular Affairs office to assist the family. Her team stayed in close contact with the family and relevant federal agencies, helping them navigate airline rebooking challenges and access available resources. Following these efforts and additional flights added by American Airlines, the family returned home last night.

In the letter, Davids emphasizes that travelers should not be left to shoulder hotel costs, rebooking fees, and other expenses stemming from federal action — particularly when airlines are not uniformly reimbursing affected passengers. She also presses the administration to outline steps to provide financial relief, clarify guidance to airlines, and ensure that communities are not disproportionately harmed by future government-directed airspace closures.

Every person and corner of Kansas’ Third District deserves a government that works for them, not special interests. That's why Davids’ team is here to help resolve issues with the federal government and connect Kansas families with any resources they may need. For assistance, constituents are encouraged to call (913) 621-0832 or visit Davids’ website at https://davids.house.gov/help.