US says it may be forced to shut down some airports over funding stand-off
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A partial government shutdown has forced 50,000 airport security officers to work without pay for the past month.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- US airports face potential closures due to a funding standoff, with TSA staff shortages impacting security and operations, especially at smaller airports.
- TSA staff are working without pay, leading to increased absences (over 50% in some airports) and resignations, causing long delays for travellers.
- Airlines are urging a resolution as spring travel surges, fearing disruptions similar to the 2025 shutdown, with 171 million passengers expected.
AI generated
WASHINGTON - Some small US airports may have to close due to a shortage of security screeners if a government funding impasse continues, a senior administration official said.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the rate of overall absences among Transportation Security Administration (TSA) airport security officers was 10.2 per cent on March 16.
This was close to the 10.1 per cent who failed to show up for duty on March 15.
But the absenteeism rate was much higher at some major airports on March 16, including 30 per cent at New York’s JFK, 37 per cent at Atlanta, 35 per cent at Houston Hobby and 39 per cent at New Orleans, the department said.
Some 50,000 TSA officers have been forced to work without pay for the last month due to the budget stand-off.
“If this continues, it’s not hyperbole to suggest that we may have to quite literally shut down airports – particularly smaller ones if callout rates go up,” acting deputy TSA administrator Adam Stahl told Fox News’ Fox And Friends.
Large airports may be able to continue security operations by closing all but a few checkpoints, but small airports with a single checkpoint would be unable to staff it with absenteeism at the same rates.
House Speaker Mike Johnson on March 17 said airports “are reaching a breaking point”.
Typically, under 2 per cent of TSA workers call in sick or do not report to work, DHS said.
It added that 366 TSA officers have left during the shutdown.
In autumn 2025, a 43-day government shutdown led to widespread flight disruptions and the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a 10 per cent flight cut at major airports.
“Once again, air travel is the political football amid another government shutdown,” the CEOs wrote.
Airlines are expecting a record-breaking spring travel period, with 171 million passengers expected to fly, up 4 per cent from the same two-month period in 2025.
DHS funding lapsed on Feb 13 after Congress failed to reach a deal on immigration enforcement reforms demanded by Democrats.
Senators from both parties failed on March 12 in competing efforts to fund the Transportation Security Administration. REUTERS
