Federal officials warn travel disruptions could escalate nationwide as unpaid security officers miss shifts amid peak spring travel demand.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Travel delays at major U.S. airports are expected to worsen as a partial federal government shutdown continues into its fifth week, with staffing shortages among Transportation Security Administration officers raising concerns about system-wide disruptions.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Friday that conditions could deteriorate rapidly if lawmakers fail to reach a funding agreement.
“If a deal isn’t cut, you’re going to see what’s happening today look like child’s play,” Duffy said in an interview. He also warned earlier in the week that smaller regional airports could face temporary closures if staffing shortages continue to deepen.
The shutdown reached its 35th day, leaving approximately 50,000 TSA officers working without pay. According to officials, those employees are scheduled to miss a second full paycheck on March 27.
Long security lines were reported Friday at several major airports, including those serving Atlanta and Houston, as spring break travel volumes increase nationwide. Airline and travel industry groups have expressed concern that absentee rates among security personnel could rise further over the weekend.
“This situation is placing increasing strain on the frontline workforce responsible for protecting millions of travelers,” a coalition including the U.S. Travel Association, airlines, and hotel operators said in a joint statement.
Data from the Department of Homeland Security showed that TSA absenteeism stood at 9.8% nationwide on Thursday, down slightly from 10.2% the previous day. However, several high-traffic airports reported significantly higher absence rates, including 32% in Atlanta, 29% at New York’s JFK airport, 27% in New Orleans, 23% at Baltimore-Washington, and more than 30% at both Houston-area airports.
The previous weekend saw absentee rates climb to approximately 10%, up from an average of about 6% earlier in the shutdown, contributing to extended wait times at security checkpoints in multiple cities.
Federal officials also reported workforce attrition, with 366 TSA officers leaving their positions since the shutdown began.
Lawmakers from both parties continued negotiations Friday in an effort to reach an agreement to restore funding for TSA operations. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said discussions were ongoing as the situation at airports grows more strained.
The current shutdown began after Department of Homeland Security funding expired on February 13, following a congressional impasse over immigration enforcement policy.
Air travel demand remains high despite the disruptions, with airlines projecting approximately 171 million passengers during the spring travel period, a 4% increase compared to the same timeframe last year.
Officials warned that without a resolution, the combination of rising passenger volumes and reduced staffing could lead to more severe delays, cancellations, and operational challenges across the national air travel system.
Original article
Comments