March 13, 2026 — Major U.S. airports
US Airports Grappling with Hours-Long TSA Lines Amid Government Shutdown and Staffing Shortages have caused widespread travel disruptions, with security checkpoint waits reaching up to three hours or more during peak spring break periods. The partial Department of Homeland Security funding lapse, which began on February 13, 2026, due to congressional gridlock over immigration reforms, has left roughly 50,000 TSA officers without pay, leading to absences, resignations and staffing shortages.[1][2][3]
Airports such as Houston’s William P. Hobby, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International and Charlotte Douglas International have reported the longest delays, with lines spilling into parking garages and baggage claim areas, resulting in missed flights.[2]
Affected Airports and Wait Times
At Houston Hobby Airport, lines averaged 3.5 hours on recent Sundays, prompting airlines like Southwest to allow bag checks up to five hours early.https://www.foxnews.com/travel/shutdown-sparks-flight-chaos-tsa-lines-spill-parking-lots-3-hour-waits New Orleans International saw queues wrapping through terminals and into parking structures, with waits up to two to three hours.[3]
“Due to impacts from the federal government’s partial shutdown, the TSA is experiencing a shortage of workers at the security checkpoint, which is causing longer-than-average lines.”
— Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport statement
Atlanta and Charlotte airports reported waits approaching or exceeding one hour during peaks.[2]
US Airports Grappling with Hours-Long TSA Lines Amid Government Shutdown and Staffing Shortages coincide with projected record passenger volumes of 171 million from March to April.[1]
Causes of Disruptions
TSA officers received partial paychecks in late February but face their first full missed paycheck around March 14, exacerbating financial hardships and unscheduled absences. Reports indicate over 300 recent resignations, adding to prior shortages.[3]
“Today, travelers are facing TSA lines of up to nearly 3 hours long at some major airports, causing missed flights and massive delays during peak travel. These frontline heroes received only partial paychecks earlier this month and now face their first full missed paycheck, leading to financial hardship, absences, and crippling staffing shortages.”
— Lauren Bis, DHS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs
The impasse stems from Democrats seeking restrictions on ICE operations and Republicans opposing partial DHS funding measures.https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/lawmakers-dig-in-on-dhs-funding-impasse-9452c4c9
Political and Industry Responses
Lawmakers traded blame, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) urging standalone TSA funding and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) noting repeated Republican offers.https://x.com/WSJ/status/2032203484364222634 Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) called for paying TSA workers after Denver delays.https://pettersen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1631
“Congress and the administration must act with urgency to reach a deal that reopens DHS and ends this shutdown.”
— Airlines for America
US Airports Grappling with Hours-Long TSA Lines Amid Government Shutdown and Staffing Shortages persist as no resolution is in sight.[2] Travelers are advised to check TSA wait times and arrive three to five hours early.[3] For more aviation updates, see Aeronautics Online sitemap.
