TSA Absences Could Force Shutdown of Some Smaller Regional Airports

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering shutting down some smaller regional airports across the U.S. should the current, partial government shutdown continue.

A top DHS official told Fox this week that if callout rates from TSA officers continue to rise, “smaller” airports may be forced to close, and security checkpoints at larger hubs will be consolidated—leading to longer wait times and more missed flights for travelers.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) took similar measures during the last government shutdown, cutting flights by 10% at 40 of the busiest U.S. airports to manage an ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers (ATCs).

The typical callout rate among TSA officers is under 2%, according to the DHS. However, the shutdown, which began on Feb. 13, caused that rate to spike above 10% earlier this week. The situation is even more acute at some of the country’s largest airports; New York’s John F. Kennedy International (JFK), Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL), and Houston Hobby (HOU) all reported rates of 35% or higher this week.

Security wait times are deteriorating rapidly, with some passengers reporting delays of more than three hours over the weekend. CNN, which is tracking these delays, reported on Wednesday that wait times at LaGuardia (LGA), Orlando International (MCO), Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP), and Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) had already exceeded 35 minutes by 7 a.m. EST.

The disruption will end only when Congress passes legislation to either fully reopen the government or ensure federal transportation workers are paid as the impasse continues.

Major travel industry groups have united to pressure Congress for a resolution. The U.S. Travel Association, Airlines for America, the American Association of Airport Executives, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association joined forces earlier this month to launch the “Pay Federal Aviation Workers” campaign.