Story perspectives

Government Shutdown Threatens Air Travel Amid Spring Break Surge

3/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

A partial government shutdown could disrupt air traffic as spring break nears after funding for U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) lapsed on February 13 over immigration reform.
About 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screeners are working without pay, risking staffing issues.
Airlines project 171 million passengers this spring, up 4 percent from last year, and industry leaders criticize lawmakers for inaction while citing TSA departures after a shutdown.

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Story summary

A partial government shutdown could disrupt air traffic as spring break nears after funding for U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) lapsed on February 13 over immigration reform.
About 50,000 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screeners are working without pay, risking staffing issues.
Airlines project 171 million passengers this spring, up 4 percent from last year, and industry leaders criticize lawmakers for inaction while citing TSA departures after a shutdown.