March 15, 2026 — Washington, D.C. — CEOs from 10 major U.S. passenger and cargo airlines published a full-page open letter in The Washington Post, urging Congress to end the 29-day partial government shutdown that began February 13 and ensure pay for unpaid TSA officers and other federal aviation workers.
The letter, signed by executives from American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Alaska Airlines, FedEx, UPS, Atlas Air and Airlines for America, highlights severe disruptions to air travel, including long security lines and staffing shortages affecting 50,000 TSA officers who received $0 paychecks last Friday.
There are very few issues upon which 9 out of 10 Americans agree. However, in recent polling, 93 percent of your constituents across the country supported paying federal aviation workers during government shutdowns.
The letter cites AlphaROC polling from March 9-10 showing 88 percent of Americans expect repeated long lines if TSA officers remain unpaid during future shutdowns.
Calls for Immediate Action
The CEOs demand Congress fund DHS immediately and pass bipartisan bills: the Aviation Funding Solvency Act and Aviation Funding Stability Act to guarantee pay for air traffic controllers, and the Keep America Flying Act for TSA officers and U.S. Customs agents.
TSA officers just received $0 paychecks. That is simply unacceptable.
They note airlines expect a record 171 million spring break passengers, up 4 percent from 2025, amid reports of 2- to 4-hour security lines at airports including Houston Hobby and New Orleans, Newark flight delays, doubled unscheduled absences and over 300 TSA resignations, echoing a prior 43-day shutdown.
Travel Disruptions Worsen
Reuters reported lines exceeding two hours at Houston Hobby and New Orleans airports, with more than 300 resignations nationwide. USA Today detailed warnings of worsening chaos ahead of peak travel, including FIFA World Cup 2026 preparations and America’s 250th birthday celebrations.
Too many travelers are having to wait in extraordinarily long—and painfully slow—lines at checkpoints.
Signatories
The letter was signed by:
- Robert Isom, CEO, American Airlines
- Scott Kirby, CEO, United Airlines
- Ed Bastian, CEO, Delta Air Lines
- Bob Jordan, President, CEO & Vice Chairman, Southwest Airlines
- Joanna Geraghty, CEO, JetBlue Airways
- Ben Minicucci, CEO & President, Alaska Air Group
- Richard W. Smith, COO International & CEO Airline, FedEx
- Nando Cesarone, EVP & President U.S., UPS
- Michael Steen, CEO, Atlas Air Worldwide
- Christopher T. Sununu, President & CEO, Airlines for America
US Airline CEOs urge Congress to end partial government shutdown and pay TSA airport security officers, as the standoff turns air travel into a ‘political football,’ per Fox News. Additional coverage from US News and others echoes the plea amid ongoing chaos.
