SPRING Break travelers are set to be hit by disruption amid the partial government shutdown.
Major airlines and travel groups have urged Congress to sort out funding for thousands of Transportation and Security Administration workers.
It comes as millions of high school and college students are preparing to travel nationwide for Spring break.
The annual one-to-two-week academic vacation period is kicking off soon.
But, holidaymakers and flyers will be hit by annoying flight delays and longer wait times at security due to the partial US homeland security shutdown, according to travel groups and airlines.
And, TSA staff are likely to suffer financially, reported Simple Flying on Saturday.
“Not again: 50,000 TSA officers face unpaid work as shutdown threatens Spring Break travel,” its headline warned.
“As yet another government shutdown looms, so does one of the busiest travel times of the Year — spring break,” said U.S. Travel, Airlines for America, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association in a joint statement last Friday.
“Travelers and the U.S. economy cannot afford to have essential TSA personnel working without pay.”
They warned that the funding delays raise “the risk of unscheduled absences and call outs, and ultimately can lead to higher wait times and missed or delayed flights.”
The partial government shutdown began on Saturday over money for the Department of Homeland Security.
Congressional Democrats and President Donald Trump’s team failed to reach a deal on legislation to fund the department through September.
And their inability to reach a compromise has sparked huge concern within the travel and hospitality industry – particularly with Spring break looming, plus the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The United States, along with Canada and Mexico, will be hosting the biennial football competition from June 11 through July 20.
Airlines for America also warned that funding uncertainty is “creating lasting damage to the entire travel ecosystem.”
The organization said the damaging interruption would hit “airlines, hotels and thousands of small businesses the travel industry supports.”
Tips on getting through TSA security faster during the 2026 partial shutdown
Funding for the DHS expired at midnight last Friday
The 95% of TSA workers deemed essential personnel will be required to keep working – but without pay.
To minimize delays at the airport:
- Arrive at the airport with ample time to pass through airport security – about 1–2 hours before your flight
- Ensuring you are dressed without excess layers or metal devices
- Slip-on shoes also make the screening at TSA much quicker
Source: Simple Flying
“With America’s 250th anniversary and the 2026 World Cup this summer, the nation should be focused on showcasing the country on the world stage and maximizing the multi-billion-dollar economic opportunity these events bring,” the statement added.
“A lapse in TSA funding will significantly undermine those efforts.
“Last year’s shutdown alone resulted in an economic impact of $6 billion —nearly $140 million per day — and disrupted travel for more than 6 million travelers.”
FATAL SHOOTINGS
It comes days after Delta Air Lines’ boss told international visitors ahead of the World Cup that the U.S. remains a welcoming destination despite the controversial crackdown on immigration.
“Hopefully, the World Cup will bring a lot of Europeans, a lot of international visitors into the US market,” said Ed Bastian last Thursday.
“Yes, the US has a focus on immigration. This is not immigration. This is tourism,” Bastian added.
“And as long as people are coming with the proper credentials, they’re not having any issues.”
Democrats are demanding changes to how immigration operations are conducted after the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal officers in Minneapolis last month.
Congress is on recess until February 23.
OFF SICK
The longer the shutdown continues, the more likely flyers will be hit with delays as they will have to queue in longer lines at airports if workers call in sick.
Ha Nguyen McNeill, the acting TSA administrator, explained last Wednesday that TSA remained “laser-focused on returning the U.S. back to being the top global travel destination.”
Spring break 2026 – in numbers
- Spring breakers are primarily high school and college students
- 2 million college students travel for the holiday nationwide
- Florida enjoys a $2.7 billion economic windfall from Spring break
- Cancun’s Spring break tourism brings in $300 million yearly
- More than 500,000 students flock to South Beach Miami
- 1.5 million visitors attend Spring break in Panama City Beach
- Only around 30% of bookings are made within 30 days of travel
- The most popular domestic beach destinations this year are: Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Los Angeles, and San Diego
Sources: Travel Awaits and Gitnux
However, this can’t happen “in a timely manner if Congress does not fund DHS through the end of Fiscal Year 2026.”
“With the United States hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June of this year, TSA does not have the luxury of time to prepare for the influx of passengers and international travelers,” McNeill warned.
“A lack of funding and predictability will pose significant challenges on our ability to deliver transportation security for the American public with the level of excellence we expect, and the American taxpayer deserves.”
It follows a record 43-day shutdown last fall.
TSA agents fall under the DHS.