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Just as the busy spring break travel period kicks off, the partial federal government shutdown is starting to affect U.S. airports, resulting in long security lines, closed screening lanes and travel delays.
The main issue is staffing at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). About 50,000 TSA airport security screeners are currently working without pay because funding for the Department of Homeland Security expired on February 13. TSA employees are considered essential workers, which means they must continue working even while Congress and the White House remain locked in a budget standoff.
But as the shutdown stretches on, some workers are unable or unwilling to report to work due to financial hardship. This means fewer screeners at security checkpoints and longer waits for travelers.
At several airports over the weekend, the impact was immediate. In Houston, wait times at William P. Hobby Airport reached nearly three hours on Sunday, according to federal officials. Other major airports also reported delays, including New Orleans, Atlanta, Charlotte and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
At Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, officials warned travelers that staffing shortages at TSA checkpoints were causing longer than average waits. Passengers were advised to arrive at least three hours before their flights. Meanwhile, Hobby Airport temporarily closed its TSA PreCheck lane due to limited staffing, meaning even travelers who normally breeze through security were stuck in longer lines.
Airlines expect to fly roughly 171 million passengers between March 1 and April 30 for spring break. That’s about 4 percent more than last year, or nearly three million passengers a day passing through airports nationwide.
Even small staffing shortages can quickly snowball in that environment. Travel industry leaders warn the disruptions could spread beyond the airports already experiencing delays, as late flights and missed connections create a domino effect across the country.
The shutdown is also affecting other travel programs. The Global Entry program, which allows expedited customs screening for international travelers, is currently suspended because of the lapse in funding. TSA says programs like PreCheck may remain open but could be adjusted depending on staffing levels at individual airports.
How long the disruption lasts depends entirely on Washington. Funding for the Department of Homeland Security lapsed after lawmakers failed to reach a deal on immigration enforcement reforms following federal shooting incidents in Minneapolis. Negotiations between Democrats and Republicans remain stalled.
Travel groups are urging lawmakers to resolve the dispute quickly. A similar shutdown last year caused more than 9,000 flight delays and cancellations, affecting six million travelers and costing the travel industry billions.
Until a deal is reached and TSA workers are paid again, travelers should expect longer lines and plan to arrive earlier than usual.