Flying in America Faces Challenges Amid Shutdown, Iran War

Staffing shortages, fuel price spikes make air travel more costly and less convenient

Mar. 16, 2026 at 10:50am

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Major airlines and millions of travelers across the United States are facing a rare convergence of challenges this spring that are making it both costlier and less convenient to fly. The partial government shutdown has created staffing shortages at domestic airport security checkpoints, while the Iran war has driven up jet fuel costs and forced many global carriers to reroute or suspend flights over the Middle East.

Why it matters

The busiest spring break travel season is underway, just as the TSA is dealing with staffing shortages and a surge in employees calling out sick due to the government shutdown. Meanwhile, the Iran conflict is causing a spike in jet fuel prices, forcing airlines to raise fares and add surcharges. This combination of factors is putting significant strain on the air travel industry and passengers.

The details

More than 300 TSA workers have quit since the partial government shutdown began, and the number of employees calling out sick has more than doubled at several major airports. This has led to hourslong security lines at airports nationwide. The Iran war and blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have also driven up the price of jet fuel, which is the single largest expense for most major airlines, accounting for around 30% of total costs. Airlines are responding by increasing ticket prices and adding fuel surcharges.

  • The busiest spring break week of the year kicked off on Sunday, March 10, 2026.
  • Tens of thousands of TSA workers missed their first full paychecks of the DHS shutdown in early March 2026.
  • On Friday, March 15, 2026, the spot price of a gallon of jet fuel was $3.99, roughly double the price at this time last year.

The players

Department of Homeland Security

The federal agency responsible for airport security checkpoints, which is currently experiencing a partial government shutdown.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

The agency that conducts airport screenings, which has seen more than 300 workers quit and a surge in employees calling out sick since the government shutdown began.

Iran

The country whose conflict and blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have driven up global oil and jet fuel prices.

Scott Kirby

The CEO of United Airlines, who has warned that surging jet fuel prices could push airline ticket prices higher.

Louise Burke

The senior vice president of renewables and aviation at Argus Media, who commented on the volatility in jet fuel markets.

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What they’re saying

“Airlines can accept lower profits or raise their fares, and I expect that they would do a bit of both. So consumers will feel the Iran war's oil price hike not only at the gas pump, but also in the airfares they pay.”

— Jan Brueckner, Economics professor emeritus at the University of California, Irvine (nbcboston.com)

“Absent near-term relief, airlines around the world could be forced to ground thousands of aircraft while some of the industry's financially weakest carriers could halt operations.”

— Michael Linenberg, Analyst at Deutsche Bank (nbcboston.com)

“The issue becomes how long the conflict will continue and how long the dislocations of supply will continue. Put on your seat belt, keep buckled and then we'll see how volatile this market will be.”

— Louise Burke, Senior vice president of renewables and aviation at Argus Media (nbcboston.com)

What’s next

Several U.S. airline CEOs are scheduled to update investors on the situation at the J.P. Morgan Industrials Conference in Washington on Tuesday, March 19, 2026.

The takeaway

The combination of the government shutdown's impact on airport security and the Iran conflict's effect on jet fuel prices is creating a perfect storm for the air travel industry, leading to higher costs and less convenience for millions of passengers. This highlights the industry's vulnerability to external shocks and the need for more resilient systems to ensure reliable and affordable air travel.