March 15, 2026 — Washington, D.C. — CEOs from major U.S. airlines, including American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest and others, sent an open letter to Congress, urging lawmakers to end the partial government shutdown now in its 29th day and restore funding to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers.
The letter, published in The Washington Post and on Airlines for America’s website, was signed by executives from 10 airlines. It warns of severe disruptions to the record spring travel season, which anticipates 171 million passengers, a 4% increase year-over-year. TSA staffing shortages have resulted in security lines stretching up to two hours or more, with more than 300 agents quitting since mid-February.
Impacts on Air Travel
The executives highlighted risks of widespread delays, cancellations and safety issues due to unpaid work for approximately 50,000 TSA officers, as well as Customs and Border Protection and air traffic control personnel. AP News reported the CEOs stating:
Air travel is the political football.
Reuters noted the push to avoid these disruptions during peak travel.
Call for Permanent Protections
The letter demands immediate DHS funding and backpay for affected workers, along with permanent measures such as the Aviation Funding Solvency Act to prevent future lapses. CNBC quoted the CEOs calling unpaid TSA paychecks “simply unacceptable.”
This situation is unacceptable.
Business Insider echoed this sentiment amid reports of hours-long lines at airports.
Broader Coverage
USA Today detailed the strain ahead of spring travel, while The Hill focused on the CEOs’ plea to Congress. Bloomberg and Fox News covered the executives’ criticism of lawmakers for turning air travel into a political issue.
Airlines for America shared the letter on X, garnering significant attention (post). The action underscores U.S. airline CEOs’ urgent plea to end the partial government shutdown and restore DHS funding for TSA workers, as echoed across multiple outlets.
