March 15, 2026 — Washington, D.C. — CEOs and executives from major U.S. airlines, including American, Delta, United, Southwest, JetBlue, Alaska, FedEx, UPS, Atlas Air and Airlines for America, sent an open letter to Members of Congress urging an immediate end to the 29-day partial government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees TSA, and restoration of funding to pay federal aviation workers.
The letter, signed by 10 executives including American Airlines CEO Robert Isom, Delta CEO Ed Bastian, United CEO Scott Kirby, Southwest President and CEO Bob Jordan, JetBlue CEO Joanna Geraghty, Alaska Air Group CEO Ben Minicucci, Airlines for America President and CEO Christopher T. Sununu, UPS EVP and President U.S. Nando Cesarone, FedEx COO International and CEO Airline Richard W. Smith, and Atlas Air CEO Michael Steen, criticizes Congress for treating air travel as a “political football.”
Yet, once again air travel is the political football amid another government shutdown. This problem is solvable, and there are solutions on the table. Now it’s up to you, Congress, to move forward on bipartisan proposals that will get federal aviation workers—including TSA officers, U.S. Customs clearance officers at airports and air traffic controllers—paid during shutdowns.
The executives demand leaders “immediately come together to reach an agreement to fund the Department of Homeland Security” and pass three 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.
Disruptions to Air Travel
The letter highlights severe impacts from unpaid workers, including TSA officers receiving “$0 paychecks” and long checkpoint lines of 2, 3 or even 4 hours, leading to flight delays and cancellations. Airlines are holding flights and rebooking passengers to mitigate issues ahead of record spring travel expecting 171 million passengers.
TSA officers just received $0 paychecks. That is simply unacceptable. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to put food on the table, put gas in the car and pay rent when you are not getting paid.
It notes Americans are “tired of long lines at airports, travel delays and flight cancellations caused by shutdown after shutdown.”
Public Support and Broader Context
Polling by AlphaROC, Inc., from March 9-10, 2026, shows 93% of Americans support paying federal aviation workers during shutdowns, with 88% expecting repeated long lines if TSA officers work without pay. The plea comes amid preparations for spring break, the 2026 FIFA World Cup and America’s 250th birthday celebrations.
Media Coverage
Major outlets reported the development on March 15, 2026. The Associated Press detailed demands for DHS funding restoration. Reuters covered warnings of disruptions. CNBC and Fox News highlighted criticism of politicizing air travel. USA Today noted timing before peak travel, while The Guardian focused on 50,000 unpaid TSA officers.