United States in Disarray as Airports Face Closure Threat

A partial government shutdown in the United States for the second time in 2026 has now entered its 32nd day. A senior official in Donald Trump’s administration has warned of the consequences if the partial shutdown continues.

According to the official, within the coming weeks, several small airports in the United States may be forced to close, according to Reuters on Wednesday (18 March 2026).

So far, the partial government shutdown that began on 14 February 2026 has forced 50,000 airport security officers (TSA) to work without pay for a month. Approximately 10% of them were absent on Sunday (15 March) local time.

“As the weeks go forward, if this continues, it would not be an overstatement to say that we may have to actually shut down airports, especially the smaller ones, if absenteeism rates increase,” said TSA Acting Deputy Administrator Adam Stahl to “Fox and Friends” on Fox News.

House Speaker Mike Johnson stated on Tuesday (17 March) that airports are currently at a critical point. The partial government shutdown has disrupted travel and prompted the chief executives of the country’s largest airlines to call for a swift resolution because spring holiday travel is underway.

Typically, fewer than 2% of TSA workers call in sick or fail to report for work, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In Atlanta, New York JFK, and Houston, absenteeism rates have reached approximately 20% since 14 February 2026, when funding ended.

DHS stated that 366 TSA officers have abandoned their duties during the government shutdown. On Sunday and Monday, absenteeism surged to more than 50% in Houston and more than 30% in New Orleans and Atlanta, with travellers sometimes having to queue for two hours or more.

In October 2025, a 43-day government shutdown caused widespread flight disruptions and the FAA ordered a 10% reduction in flights at major airports.

DHS funding ended on 13 February 2026, after Congress failed to reach agreement on immigration enforcement reforms demanded by Democrats.

Airlines are anticipating a record-breaking spring travel period, with 171 million passengers estimated to fly, up 4% from the same two-month period last year.

Several airports have closed a number of security checkpoints, and others are attempting to raise funds to help TSA workers purchase food or other essentials as they go unpaid.