The CEOs of major U.S. airlines on Sunday urged Congress to act quickly to end a 29-day partial government shutdown that has forced 50,000 airport security officers to work without pay, warning it could further disrupt American air travel.
Absences by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officials had already disrupted travel at some major airports over the previous week, raising alarm as the busy spring break travel season continues.
“Too many travelers have to wait in extraordinarily long – and painfully slow – lines at checkpoints,” the CEOs of American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Alaska Airlines and others wrote in an open letter to Congress.
They added: “First, leaders should meet immediately to reach an agreement to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Then they must act so this problem never happens again.”
Last fall, a 43-day government shutdown caused widespread flight disruptions and the FAA ordered a 10% flight cut at major airports. “Once again, air travel is the political football amid another government shutdown,” the CEOs wrote.
The group of airline executives, which also includes top executives from freight carriers FedEx, United Parcel Service and Atlas Air, called for legislation to ensure that all critical government aviation personnel are paid during future government shutdowns.
Senators from both parties failed Thursday in their competing efforts to fund the TSA, which said last week that more than 300 agents have resigned since the shutdown began.
Funding for the Department of Homeland Security expired on February 13 after Congress failed to reach an agreement on immigration enforcement reforms demanded by Democrats. They made those calls after federal immigration agents shot and killed two 37-year-old U.S. citizens in January, Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Airlines are expecting an unprecedented spring travel period, with 171 million passengers set to fly, up 4% from the same two-month period in 2025.
In early March, some airports such as Houston Hobby and New Orleans reported security lines exceeding two hours as TSA no-shows increased. Newark Airport said Saturday it was experiencing more delays than normal.
“Americans, living in their home districts and states, are tired of long lines at airports, travel delays, and flight cancellations caused by one shutdown after another,” the CEOs wrote.
Some airports have closed some security checkpoints and others are working to raise money to help TSA workers buy food or other essential items while they go without pay.
