Travelers Face Long Lines, Delays at South Florida Airports Amid Shutdown

Passengers express frustration over disruptions beyond their control

Mar. 16, 2026 at 11:08am

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Travelers at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Miami International Airport are facing lengthy lines, delayed and canceled flights due to a combination of inclement weather and the ongoing partial government shutdown. Airlines have urged Congress to fund the TSA, as over 300 officers have resigned and unscheduled absences have doubled since the shutdown began.

Why it matters

The travel disruptions in South Florida are emblematic of the broader impact the government shutdown is having on air travel across the United States, with passengers bearing the brunt of issues beyond their control.

The details

Dozens of flights have already been canceled at both FLL and MIA as of early Monday morning. Passengers reported long waits, tarmac delays, and flight cancellations, forcing them to rebook flights and incur additional costs out-of-pocket. The CEOs of major airlines have written to Congress urging them to fund the TSA, as over 300 officers have resigned and unscheduled absences have doubled since the shutdown began.

  • As of early Monday morning, dozens of flights have already been canceled at both FLL and MIA.

The players

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport

A major international airport serving the Fort Lauderdale metropolitan area in Florida.

Miami International Airport

The primary airport serving the Miami metropolitan area, one of the busiest airports in the United States.

TSA

The Transportation Security Administration, a federal agency responsible for security in all modes of transportation.

Congress

The legislative branch of the federal government of the United States.

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What they’re saying

“We were on the tarmac for almost three hours. We had to deplane and then they started saying, 'Oh, we're going to try and find a couple pilots. And, I don't know. Maybe an hour later they were like, 'Flight' been canceled.”

— Adriana Karettis (CBS News Miami)

“I'm just annoyed because none of this is our fault. We were supposed to be in Cancun a few hours ago. I shouldn't be here. I should be on the beach. I shouldn't be buying new flights. We had to pay out of pocket for a new flight tomorrow morning.”

— Sophia Lakomy (CBS News Miami)

What’s next

The CEOs of major airlines have written to Congress urging them to fund the TSA to help alleviate the travel disruptions caused by the partial government shutdown.

The takeaway

The travel chaos at South Florida airports underscores the broader impact the government shutdown is having on air travel nationwide, with passengers forced to bear the consequences of issues beyond their control.