March 15, 2026 — Washington, D.C. — CEOs from major U.S. airlines including American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Alaska Air, and cargo carriers FedEx, UPS and Atlas Air issued an open letter urging Congress to end the 29-day partial government shutdown by funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The standoff, rooted in immigration reform disputes since February 13, has left about 50,000 TSA officers unpaid, causing doubled unscheduled absences, over 300 resignations and security lines surpassing two hours at airports such as Houston Hobby, New Orleans and Newark.
The airline leaders highlighted disruptions to record spring travel volumes projected at 171 million passengers, a 4% year-over-year increase, amid the shutdown’s impacts on TSA staffing, U.S. Customs clearance shortages and air traffic controllers.
Key Demands in the Open Letter
“Too many travelers are having to wait in extraordinarily long – and painfully slow – lines at checkpoints.”
“First, leaders should immediately come together to reach an agreement to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Then they need to act so this problem never happens again.”
“Once again air travel is the political football amid another government shutdown.”
The letter, published in The Washington Post and covered by Reuters, calls for immediate DHS funding and permanent protections for federal workers’ pay during shutdowns. This follows a Senate failure to approve DHS funding on March 12.
TSA Staffing Crisis
Unpaid TSA officers have led to significant operational strains, with Seeking Alpha reporting doubled absences and over 300 quits. Long lines exceeding two hours have been reported at major hubs, exacerbating spring break peak travel chaos. Public frustration is evident on X, where users note lines over three hours and partisan blame.
Broader Shutdown Context
The current 29-day shutdown echoes a prior 43-day episode last fall, which forced FAA-mandated 10% flight reductions. Airlines are preparing for record passenger numbers despite these challenges, as noted in industry updates. Coverage in the Business Times underscores the unified stance from passenger and cargo carriers.
Related discussions tie into ongoing aviation hub issues, with Reuters sidebars highlighting broader travel disruptions. For more on U.S. airlines’ spring outlook, see Airlines for America.
