Chief executives of major U.S. airlines are urging Congress to end the ongoing federal government shutdown and restore pay for airport security officers, warning that the nearly month-long funding lapse is beginning to disrupt air travel nationwide.
In an open letter sent Sunday, leaders from several of the country’s largest carriers said the 29-day shutdown has forced about 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers to work without pay, leading to growing staffing shortages and longer security lines at airports.
The appeal was signed by executives from American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Alaska Airlines, along with leaders from cargo carriers including FedEx, United Parcel Service and Atlas Air.
Airline executives said the situation is already causing significant travel delays as some TSA officers miss work or leave their jobs entirely during the shutdown. The group warned that the disruptions could worsen as the busy spring break travel season continues, with millions of Americans expected to fly in the coming weeks.
Long security lines have been reported at several major airports over the past week as staffing levels declined. The Transportation Security Administration said more than 300 officers have resigned since the shutdown began.
The industry leaders called on lawmakers to quickly approve funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the TSA, and restore pay for airport security workers. They also urged Congress to adopt legislation ensuring that critical aviation personnel are paid during future shutdowns to prevent similar disruptions.
The funding lapse began Feb. 13 after Congress failed to reach an agreement on immigration enforcement reforms sought by Democrats. The debate intensified following a January incident in which federal immigration agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Competing proposals to fund the TSA failed in the Senate last week, leaving the agency operating without an approved budget as the shutdown approaches its second month.
The airline industry warned that extended disruptions could have major consequences for the national travel system. A prolonged shutdown last fall lasted 43 days and led to widespread flight delays, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration to order a 10% reduction in flights at some major airports.
The current standoff comes as airlines prepare for what is expected to be a record-breaking spring travel season. Industry projections estimate that roughly 171 million passengers will fly during the two-month spring period, about 4% higher than the same timeframe in 2025.
Airline leaders said restoring TSA staffing levels quickly is critical to keeping security lines moving and preventing large-scale travel delays during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Source: The Guardian