March 15, 2026 — Washington, D.C. US Airline CEOs jointly urged Congress to end the partial government shutdown and pay TSA workers in an open letter signed by 10 executives from major passenger and cargo carriers, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Alaska Air Group, FedEx, UPS, and Atlas Air. The letter addressed members of Congress amid a 29-day shutdown that has left over 50,000 TSA officers unpaid, causing security lines of 2 to 4 hours at airports like Houston Hobby, New Orleans, and Newark.
The executives warned of severe travel disruptions during record spring travel expecting 171 million passengers, up 4% from last year, with spring break underway and major events like the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaching. Airlines reported flight delays, cancellations, and checkpoint closures due to TSA absences, including over 300 officers who have quit since the shutdown began on February 13.
Once again air travel is the political football amid another government shutdown.
Americans—who live in your districts and home states—are tired of long lines at airports, travel delays and flight cancellations caused by shutdown after shutdown.
The letter cited polling by AlphaROC, Inc., showing 93% of Americans support paying federal aviation workers during shutdowns and 88% expect repeated long lines if TSA officers remain unpaid.
Calls for Immediate Action
US Airline CEOs jointly urged Congress to immediately fund the Department of Homeland Security and pass bipartisan legislation: 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.
TSA officers just received $0 paychecks. That is simply unacceptable.
The group emphasized airlines’ efforts to hold flights and rebook passengers but stressed government responsibility for TSA, U.S. Customs officers, and air traffic controllers.
Widespread Media Coverage
The joint plea drew extensive coverage, with Reuters reporting the CEOs’ demand to end the standoff and pay security officers [1]. CNBC highlighted the phrase “air travel is the political football” [2], while USA Today noted urgency ahead of spring break chaos [3].
The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg covered the 10 signatories’ push [4] [5]. Airlines for America shared the letter on X, stressing pay for TSA and others [6].
Efforts to fund TSA failed in the Senate on Thursday. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed hope Democrats would prioritize security.
