New Orleans Airport Sees Smooth Operations After TSA Workers Paid During Partial Shutdown

With the shutdown ongoing, it's unclear how long the short-term relief will last for TSA employees.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:07pm

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A bold, geometric illustration depicting the grand scale and streamlined forms of a modern airport terminal, with sweeping airbrushed gradients and towering forced perspectives, capturing the conceptual impact of the government shutdown on air travel operations.The partial government shutdown has created uncertainty for TSA workers, but the New Orleans airport remains committed to providing a smooth travel experience for passengers.New Orleans Today

After TSA officers at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport went over 40 days without pay due to the partial government shutdown, they were finally paid. This has led to smooth airport operations with no real wait times, though the long-term outlook remains uncertain as the shutdown continues.

Why it matters

The partial government shutdown has had a significant impact on TSA workers nationwide, with high rates of absenteeism reported at airports like New Orleans. The ability of the airport to maintain normal operations is crucial for travelers and the local economy.

The details

At the New Orleans Transportation Committee meeting, the Director of Aviation of the New Orleans Aviation Board, Kevin Dolliole, reported that the airport had been experiencing very high TSA worker call-out rates, leading to long lines for passengers. However, after the TSA workers were paid following an executive order signed by President Trump, the call-out times and lines have returned to close to normal levels. Dolliole stated that the airport is now recommending passengers arrive 2 hours ahead of their scheduled departure as usual.

  • The partial government shutdown began over 40 days ago.
  • TSA workers were paid after President Trump signed an executive order.

The players

Kevin Dolliole

Director of Aviation of the New Orleans Aviation Board.

Aldo Fernandez

A traveler at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

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What they’re saying

“I'm very happy that hopefully things will go back to normal. I'm very happy for them because they've been working without, you know, any money. And that's very, I mean, we're thankful for them because they're trying to do their best.”

— Aldo Fernandez, Traveler

“Call-out times, kind of quickly, have gone back to close to normal. We're back in the mode, going into this weekend, recommending our normal recommendation of arriving at the airport two hours ahead of time.”

— Kevin Dolliole, Director of Aviation of the New Orleans Aviation Board

What’s next

It's unclear how long the short-term relief for TSA workers will last, as the partial government shutdown is still ongoing. Congress is reportedly working on ongoing funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the TSA, but the long-term solution remains uncertain.

The takeaway

The ability of the New Orleans airport to maintain smooth operations during the partial government shutdown highlights the crucial role that TSA workers play in ensuring safe and efficient air travel. However, the long-term impact of the shutdown on these workers and the airport's operations remains a concern.