Airline CEOs Urge Congress to Fund Airport Security

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The CEOs of major U.S. airline companies, including American, Delta, Southwest, and JetBlue, have written an open letter to Congress calling for the restoration of funding to the Department of Homeland Security and the protection of federal aviation workers' pay during the partial government shutdown.

Why it matters

Air travel is being disrupted by the ongoing government shutdown, which has left Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers temporarily without pay. The airline executives warn that this could lead to long security lines and other issues, especially with peak travel seasons like spring break and the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching.

The details

The letter, signed by the CEOs of major airlines as well as cargo companies UPS, FedEx, and Atlas Air, urges Congress to pass legislation like the Aviation Funding Solvency Act and the Aviation Funding Stability Act to guarantee pay for air traffic controllers and TSA officers regardless of the government's funding status. The executives state that it is "difficult, if not impossible" for these federal workers to make ends meet without their paychecks.

• The current partial government shutdown only affects the Department of Homeland Security, which includes the TSA.
• This is the third shutdown in less than a year to temporarily leave TSA workers without pay.

What’s next

Congress is expected to consider the Aviation Funding Solvency Act, the Aviation Funding Stability Act, and the Keep America Flying Act, which would provide protections for federal aviation workers during government shutdowns.