Travelers in US continue to face delays at airport security amid DHS shutdown | US news
Many travelers across the United States continue to face significant delays at airport security checkpoints as the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, which has affected Transportation Security Administration personnel, continues.
As TSA employees go without pay for weeks, staffing shortages have intensified, leading to longer screening times and growing frustration among passengers.
As of Friday morning, major airports in Houston, Texas, and Queens, New York, reported wait times of up to two hours during peak periods. New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport — one of the nation’s busiest international travel hubs — reported security checkpoint wait times of up to 42 minutes at Terminal 4 on Friday.
“Due to the closure of federal agencies, TSA wait times may be longer than usual. We have deployed additional customer support staff to terminals to help manage lines, assist passengers, and keep people moving as efficiently as possible. Wait times can change quickly, so please allow extra time when traveling,” the airport said.
The delays come as airports across the United States prepare for a busy spring travel season. Industry group Airlines for America estimates that about 121 million passengers will take to the skies in the coming weeks, an increase of 4% from the same period last year.
Videos posted online in recent days showed travelers stuck in long lines at airports. George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston warned passengers Thursday: “Long lines continue. If you are coming to the airport, give yourself time. Wait times vary throughout the day.”
Since mid-February, the Department of Homeland Security has been shuttered after its funding expired, due to an impasse in the Senate over tougher regulations on federal immigration enforcement, particularly in response to the Trump administration’s nationwide ICE crackdown.
Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl told Fox News on Tuesday: “As the weeks go on…it’s not hyperbole to suggest that we may have to literally close airports, especially smaller ones, if response rates increase. We have a national deployment office force, and we’ve completely exhausted it. So at this point, we’re completely overwhelmed and, frankly, there’s not much else we can do.”
Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Sean Duffy warned on Thursday that travel chaos would only ensue if the shutdown continued, saying: “[TSA workers are] about to miss another payment. It’s going to look like child’s play, what’s happening right now.
As of Friday morning, there were 2,551 flight delays and 105 cancellations within, to or from the United States, according to FlightAware.com.
