Some US airports may close soon because of the government shutdown

If your spring break travel plans already felt a little chaotic, here’s something new to worry about: some U.S. airports might actually shut down—at least temporarily—if the current government shutdown drags on much longer.

The issue isn’t planes, weather or even the airlines themselves. It’s security. 

Right now, roughly 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers are working without pay after funding for the Department of Homeland Security lapsed in mid-February. They’re considered essential workers, so while they are still required to show up, many simply can’t afford to.

Typically, fewer than 2% of TSA workers call out. During the shutdown, that number has jumped into double digits nationwide. In some airports, it’s far worse. According to CNBC, officials reported call-out rates of more than 30% in places like Atlanta and New Orleans and as high as 50% on certain days in Houston.

Fewer screeners means fewer open security lanes. And fewer lanes means longer lines. At several airports, travelers have already faced waits of two to three hours just to get through security. TSA PreCheck lanes have also been forced to close in many cases, wiping out one of the few reliable shortcuts.

So why are airports talking about closing? It comes down to a basic requirement: if there aren’t enough TSA officers to safely staff a checkpoint, flights can’t operate. Federal officials told the New York Times that smaller airports are the most vulnerable here. They operate with leaner staffing to begin with, so even a relatively small number of absences can push them past a breaking point. Major hubs like Atlanta, JFK or LAX aren’t immune to longer waits, but they’re less likely to fully shut down.

If you already have a ticket, don’t panic—but do plan ahead. Flights are still operating and airlines haven’t broadly canceled schedules tied to the shutdown (yet). The bigger risk is missing your flight due to security delays. Most airports now advise travelers to arrive at least three hours early, even for domestic departures.

As for when things get better, that’s entirely up to Washington. The shutdown stems from a political standoff over immigration policy and there’s no clear timeline for a resolution. Until funding is restored and TSA workers are paid again, staffing shortages (and the disruptions that come with them) are likely to continue.