WASHINGTON — Chief executives from many of the nation’s largest airlines urged Congress to end the ongoing shutdown and warned that airport operations are under increasing strain as key federal aviation workers go without pay.
In an open letter dated Sunday, March 15, the CEOs of American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Alaska Airlines and others called on lawmakers to “immediately come together” to fund the Department of Homeland Security. The letter said the funding lapse is affecting the workforce that keeps airports functioning, including TSA officers and U.S. Customs and Border Protection clearance officers, and is compounding operational pressures during a peak travel period.
The executives pointed to polling they said showed broad public support for paying federal aviation workers during shutdowns and warned that long security lines and extended checkpoint wait times are likely to recur if TSA officers continue working without pay. The letter said travelers are already experiencing lengthy waits at some airports, with reported checkpoint delays stretching two, three and even four hours in some cases.
The airline leaders also pushed Congress to adopt longer-term measures aimed at preventing a repeat, urging passage of bills that would guarantee pay for air traffic controllers and extend similar protections to TSA officers during future funding lapses. They said the “$0 paychecks” received by TSA officers were unacceptable and argued that the situation makes it difficult for workers to meet basic expenses.
The letter framed the stakes as especially high with spring break travel underway, major events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, and nationwide events expected in connection with the country’s 250th anniversary celebrations. The airline executives said U.S. carriers expect 171 million passengers during the spring travel season, which they described as a record, and said airlines are trying to limit disruption by holding flights for delayed passengers and rebooking travelers when needed.
The CEOs urged Congress to act both to restore DHS funding and to ensure that future shutdowns do not again disrupt airport screening and the broader air travel system.
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