March 15, 2026 — Washington, D.C. CEOs of major U.S. airlines urged Congress on Monday to immediately end the partial government shutdown, now in its 29th day, and fund the Department of Homeland Security to pay around 50,000 unpaid TSA officers amid hours-long security lines at airports nationwide.
The executives from American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Alaska Airlines, FedEx, UPS, and Atlas Air, representing Airlines for America (A4A), issued an open letter calling for urgent action ahead of record spring travel expecting 171 million passengers.
CEOs’ Open Letter
In the letter, the CEOs stated:
Too many travelers are having to wait in extraordinarily long – and painfully slow – lines at checkpoints.
They added:
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.
The group highlighted:
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 CEOs also called for legislation to ensure critical aviation personnel are paid during future shutdowns, noting air travel has become a “political football” again.
Impacts on Airports and Travelers
TSA officer absences have caused disruptions, with lines exceeding two hours at airports including Houston Hobby, New Orleans International, and Newark. More than 300 TSA officers have quit since the shutdown began. Some airports have closed checkpoints or raised funds for unpaid workers. Airlines for America previously reported lines of two to three hours, leading to delays and missed flights, with TSA officers facing zero paychecks.
At Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, officials recommended arriving three hours early due to waits over two hours, per The Center Square.
Shutdown Context
The partial shutdown stems from a February 13 funding lapse. It follows a 43-day shutdown last fall that caused widespread disruptions. With spring break underway and events like the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaching, airlines warned of heightened stakes. As of March 15, thousands of flights faced delays or cancellations.
