March 15, 2026 — Washington, D.C. — US Airline Executives Urge Congress to End Government Shutdown and Pay TSA Workers Amid Long Security Lines, as chief executives from major U.S. carriers including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Alaska Air Group, along with leaders from Airlines for America, FedEx, and UPS, published an open letter to Congress demanding an immediate end to the partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown and pay for unpaid TSA officers.
The letter, published in The Washington Post and on Airlines.org, highlights severe disruptions from TSA absences, including wait times of 2 to 4 hours at security checkpoints, flight delays, and cancellations, amid a record spring travel season expecting 171 million passengers in March and April.
Key Demands in the Letter
The executives called for bipartisan action to fund DHS immediately and pass legislation ensuring federal aviation workers, including TSA screeners, U.S. Customs officers, and air traffic controllers, receive pay during shutdowns. Specific bills mentioned include the Aviation Funding Solvency Act, Aviation Funding Stability Act, and Keep America Flying Act.
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.
The letter notes polling showing 93% of Americans support paying federal aviation workers during shutdowns and 88% expect repeated long lines if TSA officers remain unpaid.
Airport Disruptions
US Airline Executives Urge Congress to End Government Shutdown and Pay TSA Workers Amid Long Security Lines at major hubs like Houston Hobby Airport, where lines exceeded 3 hours, New Orleans with over 2 hours, and Newark, Atlanta, and Charlotte. Travelers faced delays as airlines held flights and rebooked passengers to mitigate chaos during spring break.
Reuters reported absences among TSA screeners due to the shutdown, which began in mid-February over immigration funding disputes, worsening with the recent paycheck issuance.
Once again, air travel is the political football amid another government shutdown.
Broader Context
The push coincides with heightened travel demands, including spring break, upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 preparations, and America’s 250th birthday celebrations. Coverage from AP News, USA Today, and CNN detailed pre-letter lines at affected airports.
Signatories include Robert Isom of American Airlines, Ed Bastian of Delta, Scott Kirby of United, Bob Jordan of Southwest, Joanna Geraghty of JetBlue, Ben Minicucci of Alaska, and others from cargo carriers.
US Airline Executives Urge Congress to End Government Shutdown and Pay TSA Workers Amid Long Security Lines reflects widespread media attention, with reports from Bloomberg, Fox News, and The Hill emphasizing the bipartisan appeal for resolution.
