Potential Airport Delays Loom as US Government Shutdown Impacts Homeland Security

Sat Feb 14 2026 23:36:55 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Travel groups are warning travelers about possible delays at airports due to a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, amid funding disputes in Congress.

Following a partial shutdown of the US federal government due to failed budget negotiations, travelers may face longer wait times at airports as Transportation Security Administration staff could experience pay issues. Major travel organizations have raised alarms, emphasizing that essential personnel should not work without compensation. The standoff over immigration reforms continues to complicate funding discussions.

Travel groups and airlines are warning of potential disruption as the US federal government partially shut down after lawmakers failed to reach a deal on funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Several groups, including Airlines for America, said in a joint statement that without a deal, the risk of unscheduled absences by Transportation Security Administration workers increased, causing flight delays and longer wait times.

Travellers and the US economy cannot afford to have essential TSA personnel working without pay, they said.

A partial government shutdown began at midnight (05:00 GMT) on Saturday after Congress failed to pass a bill to fund DHS operations.

In exchange for a funding deal, Democrats had been pushing for more restrictions on US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which will not be significantly affected by the shutdown, thanks to prior funding.

Democrats demanded reforms following the deaths of two protesters in Minnesota, calling for changes like a ban on immigration agents wearing face masks and stricter warrant protocols.

Senate Democrats recently blocked two funding bills because they did not include these immigration reforms, and prior funding only sustained DHS for two weeks while negotiations continued.

President Donald Trump said he was uncertain about reaching a deal to fund the DHS but underscored the importance of protecting law enforcement.

The impact of the shutdown will likely touch various DHS agencies, including the TSA and the Coast Guard. The funding impasse may lead to TSA agents not being paid, resulting in potential operational issues.

Last year saw a record 43-day government shutdown that left many federal employees unpaid and caused significant travel disruptions, sparking debates over healthcare funding.

With Congress set to break until February 23, the current shutdown may drag on until Trump's State of the Union address shortly thereafter, although lawmakers could be recalled sooner if a compromise emerges.

While the partial shutdown is not expected to create as much travel chaos as last year's, the potential for longer airport lines due to TSA staffing issues remains a concern.