U.S. AIRLINE EXECUTIVES URGE CONGRESS TO FUND DHS
April 6, 2026
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On March 15, 2026, chief executive officers of nine U.S. air carriers and Airlines for America all signed a joint letter to Congress urging lawmakers to immediately fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Since DHS funding expired on February 14, 2026, the letter explained that federal aviation workers (e.g., Transportation Security Administration officers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection clearance officers, and some air traffic controllers) are working without pay at the same time as a well-publicized affordability crisis. If the partial shutdown continues much longer, airline executives are concerned that lengthy lines at TSA checkpoints, prolonged travel delays, and significant flight cancellations will become all too common. With approximately 171 million passengers set to travel in the coming months, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Atlas Air, UPS, and FedEx came together to advocate for swift action ahead of major events which will necessitate air travel, such as FIFA World Cup 2026 and the country’s 250th anniversary. Citing significant TSA-related staffing shortages at major U.S. airports, senior Trump administration officials are now warning that airports “are reaching a breaking point” and FAA-mandated schedule reductions could be implemented akin to the last government shutdown in November 2025. Carriers should pay close attention to the ongoing partial government shutdown, especially if operational concerns at U.S. airports intensify. Despite continued efforts among House and Senate lawmakers, lengthy TSA security lines at airports throughout the country are disrupting millions of travelers as the partial government shutdown becomes the longest in U.S. history.
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