Travelers are facing long delays, flight cancellations and rising costs at airports across the country due to the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). U.S. airlines expected to see to 171 million passengers fly during spring break period that ends April 30, a 4% increase from last year. According to TSA, more than 2.7 million people were cleared through TSA on March 10.
Thousands of flights have been delayed or canceled, with major carriers like Southwest, American, and Delta experiencing high disruption numbers. Spring break travel cancellations are running 60% higher, particularly for international travel.
For passengers whose flights haven’t been canceled, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is encouraging very early arrivals and check-ins at least three hours or more ahead of scheduled flight departures due to longer screening times. In Dallas, Hobby Airport officials suggested at least four to five hours to allow for security screening, with Houston airports urging passengers to remain flexible.
Meanwhile, Congress remains at an impasse over DHS funding, though some have proposed funding TSA and other agencies unrelated to immigration enforcement. TSA officers are concerned they may see their paychecks withheld this week.
With spring break travel about to come into full swing, airlines are expecting record numbers of people. Airlines for America president and CEO Chris Sununu said federal aviation workers, the airline industry and passengers are being used as a political football, which is “unacceptable and un-American.”
This past September, the DHS’s shutdown contingency plan had more than 95% of TSA employees exempt and remaining during that shutdown, with an estimated 2,933 workers furloughed, which led to air travel delays due to TSA employees and air traffic controllers calling out of work.
The vast majority of the nation's roughly 400 commercial airports rely on federal screening officers employed directly by TSA. During shutdowns, those workers must continue reporting for duty even though they stop getting paid. Currently, air traffic controllers are working with pay since they fall under the FAA which is a part of the Department of Transportation, but officials warned the current shutdown will still impact air travel.
DHS reinstated the Global Entry program last Wednesday after suspending it on Feb. 22, citing the partial government shutdown. During the pause, lines at customs had been unpredictable for international travelers. Some reported nightmare lines while others had no issues. Airports and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) encouraged travelers to use Mobile Passport Control (MPC), a free alternative fastpass service, to speed up their customs experience.