U.S. Air Travel in Crisis as DHS Shutdown Leaves Thousands of TSA Workers Unpaid

Air travel across the United States faced escalating disruptions over the weekend due to a Department of Homeland Security funding lapse, which left thousands of Transportation Security Administration employees working without pay and triggered warnings of extended security lines and economic fallout.

The funding for the Department of Homeland Security expired early Saturday, prompting a partial shutdown that affected agencies housed within the department, including the TSA.

Under DHS’s September-published shutdown contingency plan, more than 95% of TSA employees are classified as essential and must continue working during appropriations lapses. However, the remaining workers — 2,933 out of 64,130 — were placed on furlough. As of Sunday, the Department of Homeland Security had not publicly confirmed whether the contingency plan was fully implemented or if nonexempt employees had been furloughed.

Unlike past shutdowns, air traffic controllers continue to receive pay because they fall under the Federal Aviation Administration, which is part of the Department of Transportation rather than DHS. TSA leadership warned that the funding lapse could strain airport security operations as unpaid officers face significant financial pressures.

“Many TSA officers work paycheck to paycheck trying to support themselves and their families,” acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill told the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security. “During a shutdown, the ability to pay for rent, bills, groceries, child care, and gas just to get to work becomes very challenging, leading to increased unscheduled absences as the shutdown progresses.”

She added that “higher callouts can result in longer wait times at checkpoints, causing missed or delayed flights, which has a cascading negative impact on the American economy.”

Flight tracking data revealed widespread disruptions. According to FlightAware, more than 5,100 flights within, into, or out of the country were delayed Saturday with nearly 460 canceled. By Sunday afternoon, nearly 4,700 flights had been delayed and over 240 canceled. The figures do not differentiate between delays caused by TSA staffing shortages and those due to weather, maintenance, or other operational issues.

Before the funding lapse began on Friday, more than 5,500 U.S. flights were delayed and 120 canceled, according to FlightAware data. Industry groups warned that prolonged uncertainty could compound disruptions and inflict broader economic damage. In a joint statement, the U.S. Travel Association, Airlines for America, and American Hotel & Lodging Association noted that last fall’s 43-day government shutdown cost the economy $6 billion and disrupted travel for more than 6 million people.

“Funding uncertainties create lasting damage to the entire travel ecosystem,” the groups wrote. “It also stifles recruitment, retention, preparedness, and modernization efforts.” TSA officials cautioned that a shutdown affects nonessential services, including recruitment and technology upgrades aimed at modernizing airport screening. TSA Chief of Staff Adam Stahl stated on Thursday that the agency would suspend nonessential services during the shutdown.

McNeill told lawmakers that the agency is currently facing staffing challenges. Roughly 1,110 officers left TSA in October and November — a more than 25% increase compared to the same period last year. “A shutdown and funding uncertainties have real and measurable impacts on recruitment, retention, and employee morale,” McNeill said.