TSA Warns of Possible Airport Closures

Daniel Hanson

Summary

TSA warns small airports may close if high officer absences continue during ongoing shutdown.

Why this matters

The potential airport closures due to TSA staff shortages highlight the widespread impact of the government shutdown on essential services and air travel.

More than 30% of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers were absent this week at several U.S. airports, raising concerns about potential closures amid the ongoing partial government shutdown. Adam Stahl, acting deputy administrator of the TSA, warned on Fox News that continued high absence rates could lead to small airport closures.

Nick Dyer, a TSA spokesperson, clarified that closures would occur only if insufficient staff were available to operate security checkpoints. Decisions would be made on a case-by-case basis, though Dyer did not specify which airports might be affected or how soon closures might happen.

Approximately 50,000 TSA officers have been working without pay since February 14 due to the expiration of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding, following a congressional impasse over immigration enforcement. More than 10% of TSA officers were absent on Sunday and Monday, the highest rates during the shutdown, according to DHS.

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