by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 12:35 PM ET, Fri November 7, 2025
The CEO of Hertz is joining airlines calling for an end to the government shutdown, now the longest in national history, as the company shares it’s seeing stronger demand in one-way car rental bookings.
Gil West, CEO of Hertz, put out a short statement, saying, “We join the airlines in urging Congress to swiftly pass a clean continuing resolution and restore certainty for travelers. Every day of delay creates unnecessary disruption.”
According to the car rental company, there’s been a 20 percent spike in one-way car rental bookings for Saturday, November 8, when the FAA’s flight reduction plan is expected to increase to 5 percent cancellations across the 40 high-traffic airports in the United States.
USA Today reports that an estimated 3.2 million travelers have already been impacted by delays and cancellations since the government shutdown began and air traffic control shortages began snarling the system.
Hertz is encouraging travelers to book rental cars at neighborhood rental car venues to relieve stress at airport rental car centers, modify any rental car bookings as flight plans change and to add their flight reservation into the system.
Many airlines are also offering easy ways to change or cancel travel plans; at least two major airlines, including Delta Air Lines, are offering full refunds for any type of ticket, including nonrefundable tickets, for travelers who don't want to fly during the government shutdown.
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