The leaders of major US airlines have issued a plea to Congress to urgently resolve the ongoing partial government shutdown, which has impacted airport security operations and left more than 50,000 TSA officers unpaid. The shutdown, now lasting nearly a month, has already caused a significant increase in security lines and delays at key airports, raising concerns about travel disruptions during the upcoming spring peak.
In an open letter, executives from American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, Alaska Air, and cargo giants FedEx, UPS, and Atlas Air emphasized the importance of securing funding for the Department of Homeland Security. They highlighted that over 300 TSA officers have resigned since the shutdown commenced, leading to longer wait times and operational challenges at airports such as Houston Hobby and Newark.
Calls for legislative action and future safeguards
The airline leaders urged Congress to pass legislation that guarantees the payment of critical government aviation personnel during future shutdowns, warning that repeated political impasses threaten the stability of US air travel. They pointed to a 43-day shutdown in 2025 that resulted in a 10% reduction in flights at major airports, underscoring the recurrent nature of the problem.
"Leaders should come together immediately to fund the Department of Homeland Security and act permanently to prevent this from happening again,"
the CEOs stated.
The ongoing shutdown is occurring as the aviation sector anticipates a record-breaking spring period with an expected 171 million passengers, up by 4% from 2025. Several airports are already experiencing traffic delays, with some security checkpoints closing or operating with limited capacity, prompting efforts to support TSA staff financially.
Overall, the airline industry highlights the urgent need for reliable government funding to ensure continued safety, efficiency, and reliability in US air travel, especially during peak seasons.
