The CEOs of major U.S. airlines are urging Congress to end a 29-day partial government shutdown that has left about 50,000 TSA officers working without pay and prompted more than 300 resignations. They warned that staffing shortfalls have already lengthened security lines at major airports and could worsen travel disruptions during the busy spring period. The airline coalition called for immediate DHS funding and legislation guaranteeing pay for essential aviation workers during future shutdowns.
Airline CEOs Warn Of Travel Chaos — Urge Congress To End 29-Day Shutdown And Pay Unpaid TSA Officers
Travellers wait in Transportation Security Administration screening lines at the San Antonio International Airport in San Antonio, Texas, U.S., March 14, 2026. REUTERS/Kaylee Greenlee
The chiefs of the nation's largest airlines on Sunday urged Congress to quickly end a 29-day partial government shutdown that has left roughly 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers working without pay, warning the situation could further disrupt U.S. air travel during the busy spring break season.
Airlines Call For Immediate Action
In an open letter, the CEOs of American Airlines, United, Delta Air Lines, Southwest, JetBlue, Alaska Air and other passenger carriers — together with leaders at cargo carriers FedEx, UPS and Atlas Air — pressed lawmakers to fund the Department of Homeland Security immediately and to pass legislation ensuring critical aviation personnel are paid during future shutdowns.
"Too many travelers are having to wait in extraordinarily long - and painfully slow - lines at checkpoints," the letter said.
TSA absences have already caused disruptions at several major airports over the past week. The agency reported that more than 300 officers have resigned since the shutdown began, and some airports have temporarily closed security checkpoints as staffing gaps widen.
Operational Impact And Historic Context
Airlines warn the shutdown threatens a peak travel period: carriers expect about 171 million passengers to fly in the two-month spring window, roughly 4% more than a year earlier. Executives noted that last fall's 43-day shutdown prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to order a 10% reduction in flights at some major airports, underscoring the potential for repeat disruption.
Recent examples of delays include reported security lines exceeding two hours at Houston Hobby and New Orleans airports, and higher-than-normal delays at Newark. Some airports and community groups have begun emergency fundraising efforts to help unpaid TSA workers purchase food and other essentials.
Funding for the Department of Homeland Security lapsed on February 13 after Congress failed to reach an agreement on immigration enforcement reforms. Senators from both parties recently failed in competing efforts to provide short-term funding for TSA. The airline group urged lawmakers to resolve the impasse quickly and pass durable protections so critical aviation staff are not left unpaid in future budget standoffs.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Jamie Freed)
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