Airports Warned of Potential Closures Amid Government Shutdown

TSA staffing shortages lead to long security lines and concerns about airport operations.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 2:09am

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The ongoing partial government shutdown has led to staffing shortages at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), causing massive security line delays at airports across the country. Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl has warned that airports may have to "quite literally shut down" if the shutdown continues, as more TSA workers call out or quit due to missing paychecks.

Why it matters

The potential airport closures would severely disrupt travel for millions of passengers and have significant economic impacts, especially for the airline industry. The shutdown has highlighted the fragility of the aviation system and the need for stable government funding and staffing to maintain operations.

The details

The TSA has been struggling with staffing shortages at security checkpoints, with some workers quitting or taking secondary jobs to make ends meet during the shutdown. This has led to security lines stretching over 3 hours at some major airports, causing many travelers to miss their flights. Stahl warned that smaller airports with a single checkpoint may be forced to close entirely if the staffing issues worsen.

  • The partial government shutdown began in late 2025 and is ongoing as of March 2026.

The players

Adam Stahl

The Acting Deputy Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration.

Mike Johnson

The Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Airline CEOs

The chief executives of major U.S. airlines, who have called on Congress to resolve the DHS funding issues and end the disruption to air travel.

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What they’re saying

“As the weeks continue, if this continues, it's not hyperbole to suggest that we may have to quite literally shut down airports – particularly smaller ​ones if callout rates go up.”

— Adam Stahl, Acting Deputy TSA Administrator (Fox News)

“Airports 'are reaching a breaking point'.”

— Mike Johnson, House Speaker (Reuters)

“Congress is using air travel as 'political football', and the problem is solvable as long as Congress is willing to work together.”

— Airline CEOs (Open Letter)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The potential airport closures due to the government shutdown highlight the critical importance of stable government funding and staffing to maintain the smooth operation of the nation's aviation system. This crisis underscores the need for Congress to reach a bipartisan agreement to end the shutdown and ensure the TSA has the resources it needs to keep airports running safely and efficiently.