In a rare moment of Washington-style fireworks that didn’t involve campaign ads or Senate shouting matches, President Donald J. Trump marked the 4th of July by signing the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” – and the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is lighting its metaphorical sparklers.
Officially passed by the 119th United States Congress as a budget reconciliation bill, this newly inked legislation has handed the business travel sector several long-sought victories. And for once, it appears Capitol Hill has managed to fasten its seatbelt, return its tray table to the upright position, and give the U.S. travel economy some serious lift.
Business Travel Gets a Policy Upgrade
The GBTA – the preeminent voice for the business travel sector – was quick to issue a vote of thanks, noting that multiple recommendations it had championed were baked into the final bill. “These inclusions signal not just recognition but real action to advance the efficiency and security of business travel across U.S. borders,” said a GBTA spokesperson.
Let’s take a stroll down the tarmac to see what’s inside.
Air Traffic Control Modernisation: Finally, Some Altitude
First, a cool $12.5 billion has been set aside to begin overhauling America’s antiquated air traffic control (ATC) system. That’s right—the U.S. is finally trading in its Cold War-era radar for something resembling 21st-century aviation technology. The GBTA has long called for these upgrades, arguing that modernisation will boost reliability, reduce delays, and improve safety for the more than 462 million business trips made annually in the United States.
Customs and Border Protection Gets a Manpower Surge
Secondly, the bill allocates $4.1 billion to bolster the ranks of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), with 5,000 new officers expected to take up posts. This move is designed to accelerate processing at key entry points—a longstanding pain point for international business travellers who’d rather spend their time at meetings than in immigration queues.
And it’s not just about more boots on the airport floor. The new legislation includes $673 million for expanding CBP’s biometric Entry/Exit Program, ensuring faster, safer verification at border crossings – all for efficiency and security.
As the GBTA noted, “Efficient border entry is not just a traveller issue. It’s a national economic imperative.”
Fuel for the Future: SAF Incentives Extended
In a nod to the industry’s growing commitment to sustainable travel, the Act also extends the Clean Fuel Production Credit (45Z) through 2031, a major win for airlines investing in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The GBTA has championed SAF as critical to reducing aviation’s carbon footprint, and this policy extension now gives airlines—and their corporate travel clients—some much-needed runway to meet their ESG commitments.
GBTA’s Work Not Done Yet
While the GBTA is happy to see its priorities become law, the association insists the real work begins now. It will continue to push for the effective implementation of the measures, ensuring business travellers are better served and feel it in their day-to-day journeys.
“As global business travel recovers and evolves, these legislative milestones matter,” GBTA said. “But policies are only as powerful as their execution.”
Indeed, the business travel sector is far from a fringe player in the American economy. According to the GBTA U.S. Economic Impact Study, the industry contributes $484.4 billion annually, representing a solid 1.9% of the U.S. GDP. That’s not just pocket change—it’s payrolls, deals, innovation, and international competitiveness all taking flight.
A Welcome Reconciliation, Not Just a Bill
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” may not win awards for subtlety in naming, but its impact on the travel industry is shaping up to be profound and practical. With airspace modernisation, faster borders, biometric innovation and green fuel incentives now in play, business travellers may soon find that the U.S. travel infrastructure is more than a necessary inconvenience – it might be… efficient?
In these fractious times, when bipartisan agreement is rarer than an aisle seat upgrade, the travel sector has reason to celebrate. And as the GBTA continues to work with policymakers, it’s clear the association has its tray table firmly locked in the advocacy position.
For more on GBTA’s advocacy work and ongoing policy priorities, visit GBTA’s official advocacy page.
By Michelle Warner
