Thousands of Flights Canceled or Delayed Amid Weather, TSA Staffing Issues

Powerful storms and reduced TSA staffing due to government shutdown disrupt air travel across the U.S.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 1:53pm

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Air travelers faced hundreds of flight cancellations and thousands of delays on Tuesday as powerful storms swept across the eastern half of the country. Many airports also continue to struggle with disruption from reduced staffing at security checkpoints amid a partial government shutdown that has lasted more than a month, with over 300 TSA staffers quitting since the shutdown began.

Why it matters

The combination of severe weather and the ongoing government shutdown, which has impacted TSA staffing levels, has created significant travel disruptions across the country, especially at major airports like those in New York, Chicago, and Atlanta. This highlights the cascading effects that political gridlock and extreme weather can have on critical transportation infrastructure.

The details

More than 900 U.S. flights have been canceled as of Tuesday morning, and more than 2,600 were delayed, according to flight-tracking site FlightAware. The nationwide cancellations on Monday included about 600 flights in and out of Chicago O'Hare International, more than 470 at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International, and over 450 at LaGuardia Airport in New York City. The Federal Aviation Administration ordered ground stops and delays at several major airports due to the severe weather. The partial government shutdown, which has left TSA workers temporarily without pay, has also contributed to staffing shortages, with over 300 TSA agents quitting since the start of the shutdown.

  • On Sunday and Saturday, the TSA saw the highest and second-highest call out rates so far during the partial government shutdown.
  • The partial government shutdown that started on February 14 has lasted more than a month.

The players

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

The federal agency responsible for security screening at U.S. airports, which has been impacted by staffing shortages due to the partial government shutdown.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

One of the nation's busiest airports, which saw over 470 flight cancellations on Monday due to the severe weather and TSA staffing issues.

Chicago O'Hare International Airport

A major U.S. airport that saw around 600 flight cancellations on Monday amid the weather and shutdown-related disruptions.

LaGuardia Airport

An airport in New York City that experienced over 450 flight cancellations on Monday due to the combination of storms and TSA staffing problems.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The federal agency that ordered ground stops and delays at several major airports in response to the severe weather conditions.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This situation highlights the cascading impacts that severe weather and political gridlock can have on critical transportation infrastructure, underscoring the need for robust contingency planning and coordination between government agencies, airlines, and airports to minimize disruptions for travelers.