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Long TSA Lines Plague Austin Airport Amid Government Shutdown
Spring break crowds and SXSW festival exacerbate delays as TSA officers work without pay
Mar. 13, 2026 at 4:09pm
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Travelers faced lengthy security lines at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Friday as spring break crowds and the SXSW festival converged, exacerbating delays caused by the partial government shutdown that has left Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers working without pay. Airport officials urged passengers to arrive early and expect congestion to continue through the busy travel period.
Why it matters
The TSA staffing shortages and long lines at the Austin airport highlight the broader impact of the ongoing government shutdown, which has left federal workers like TSA officers without paychecks. This is creating travel headaches for passengers just as the busy spring break and festival season kicks off in Austin.
The details
Security lines stretched out the door of the Barbara Jordan Terminal and down the sidewalk starting around 5 a.m. on Friday, though congestion began to wane after 7 a.m. Airport officials estimated upward of 35,000 people could fly out of Austin on Friday, urging travelers to arrive early and be prepared for delays. The increased wait times come as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which includes the TSA, remains shuttered during the partial government shutdown. TSA officers nationwide have been calling in sick at twice the normal rate because they are being asked to work without pay.
- Security lines began forming around 5 a.m. on Friday, March 13, 2026.
- Congestion at the airport started to decrease after 7 a.m. on March 13, 2026.
- This weekend is expected to be one of the busiest of the year at Austin-Bergstrom, due to spring break travel and the SXSW festival.
The players
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
The main airport serving the city of Austin, Texas, which is experiencing a surge in spring break and festival travel.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
The federal agency that includes the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which is affected by the ongoing partial government shutdown.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
The federal agency responsible for airport security screening, which is facing staffing shortages as officers work without pay during the government shutdown.
What’s next
Airport officials hope a new security checkpoint that opened late last month will help keep lines moving, and they are encouraging travelers to arrive early and use the MyTSA app to check current wait times.
The takeaway
The travel chaos at the Austin airport underscores the broader impact of the government shutdown on the lives of ordinary Americans, as political gridlock in Washington disrupts spring break plans and the city's major annual festival. This situation highlights the need for a swift resolution to the budget impasse to restore normalcy for travelers and federal workers alike.
