Security wait times at major US airports varied widely on March 18, with some hubs facing long delays while others reported minimal congestion, CNN reports.
The longest wait was recorded at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, where passengers faced delays of up to 120 minutes as of 9:48 a.m. ET.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Salt Lake City International Airport also reported relatively high wait times of 40 minutes and 39 minutes at 9:51 a.m. ET.
Airports such as Orlando International Airport (32 minutes) and Newark Liberty International Airport (28 minutes) experienced slight delays around 9:49 a.m. ET.
In New York, John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport recorded 23 minutes and 22 minutes, respectively, around 9:50 a.m. ET.
SA staffing crisis triggers long airport lines across US
Air travelers across the United States are facing longer security lines as a partial government shutdown in effect since mid-February disrupts the Transportation Security Administration’s operations. About 50,000 officers are working without pay, leading to more than a 10% increase in absenteeism nationwide and much higher numbers at major airports such as John F. Kennedy International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Staffing shortages forced the closure of checkpoints at some airports, while more than 300 TSA workers quit during the shutdown. Authorities have warned that smaller airports are at risk of temporary closure if the situation persists.
The disruption comes amid a political stalemate over funding for the Department of Homeland Security, with both Republicans and Democrats sharing blame for the crisis.
Forfeiture of funding
Funding for the Department of Homeland Security expired on February 13 after Congress failed to agree on immigration reforms, leaving the Transportation Security Administration’s operations without full funding.
Democrats have said they will block DHS funding until new limits are put in place on federal immigration actions after the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renée Good earlier this year.
This is the third shutdown in less than a year affecting TSA workers, who remain unpaid and will not get back pay until the government reopens.
