Travelers Head to San Diego Airport Amid Partial Government Shutdown

Airport expects busy travel days as some flyers face longer security lines.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 6:09am

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San Diego International Airport is expecting heavy traffic this weekend, with many travelers flying to destinations like Phoenix, Vancouver, and Florida. Despite the partial government shutdown affecting air traffic control staffing, the airport is recommending passengers arrive 2.5 hours early to get through security. Some travelers report short wait times, while others faced longer lines, but the airport is hopeful that recent executive action to pay TSA workers will help alleviate delays.

Why it matters

The partial government shutdown has impacted air travel operations, with reduced staffing of air traffic controllers and TSA agents leading to longer security lines and potential flight delays at airports across the country. San Diego's airport is a major transportation hub, so any disruptions there can have ripple effects on travel plans.

The details

San Diego International Airport is expecting busy travel days on Friday and Sunday this weekend. Some travelers, like the University of New Mexico women's tennis team, are flying to nearby destinations like Phoenix, while others have longer trips to Vancouver and Florida planned. Amid the partial government shutdown, passengers are trying to arrive early and pack light to get through security efficiently. The airport is recommending 2.5 hours for check-in and screening. While some report quick 15-minute waits, others have faced lines stretching out the door that took hours to get through. The airport also saw delays on Thursday night due to a shortage of air traffic controllers.

  • San Diego International Airport is expecting busy travel days on Friday and Sunday this weekend.
  • On Thursday night, the airport experienced delays due to a shortage of air traffic controllers.

The players

Vicky Mayes

Head Coach of the University of New Mexico Women's Tennis Team, whose team was traveling to Phoenix.

Matt Levin

A traveler heading to Vancouver, Canada.

Letitia Johnson

A traveler heading to Florida.

Omar Solorzano

A traveler heading to Las Vegas.

President Donald Trump

Signed an executive order on Friday to pay TSA workers as DHS funding faltered in Congress.

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What they’re saying

“We make sure we have all of our paperwork in order, pack lightly, and just be prepared with contingencies if we have to.”

— Vicky Mayes, Head Coach of Univ. Of the New Mexico Women's Tennis Team

“From what we read, 2.5 hours early, we should be good to go. We checked the TSA times before we came. It said about a half hour, and, from the looks of it, that seems accurate.”

— Matt Levin

“Some people say that they went through it only took 15 minutes. Other people saying that lines were out to the streets and it took several hours. We were doing some military training, and so. But um, we've been away from my family for a few weeks now, and we just want to make sure that we get home, but um, I'm just doing my due diligence to make sure that once we get our rest, but at the same time, I don't want us to miss our flight”

— Letitia Johnson

“The more help they can get, I mean. That's really all we can ask for. Just speed up the queue times as long as they can do that.”

— Omar Solorzano

“At the end of the day, I hope that whatever needs to happen in DC, whatever bills need to be passed get passed, and that everyone needs to be paid gets paid. My concern is that I get home to my family.”

— Letitia Johnson

What’s next

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday to pay TSA workers as DHS funding faltered in Congress, which could help alleviate delays at the airport.

The takeaway

The partial government shutdown is causing disruptions at airports across the country, including San Diego International, as reduced staffing of air traffic controllers and TSA agents leads to longer security lines and potential flight delays. Travelers are advised to arrive extra early and be prepared for potential delays, but the situation may improve if the executive action to pay TSA workers is implemented.