How a Government Shutdown Affects Airport Operations

During a government shutdown, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continues to operate because it is considered essential to safety, but with a reduced workforce. Air traffic controllers stay on the job without pay. However, other airport services slow down or stop entirely: TSA screeners work without paychecks, which historically leads to higher absence rates; airport maintenance staff may be furloughed; and some facilities close or reduce hours.

The airports most visibly affected are those that depend heavily on federal workers. Major hubs like Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Chicago O'Hare, and New York (JFK, LaGuardia, Newark) typically see longer security lines because TSA staffing drops. Smaller regional airports with fewer staff cushion often experience worse delays. The real disruption, though, is not uniform—it depends on how long the shutdown lasts and how many workers call in absent.

Flight cancellations during a shutdown are rare. Airlines keep flying because they are private companies. What changes is the speed at which planes move through the system: longer waits at security, slower ground handling, and occasional delays while waiting for air traffic control clearance.

Key Takeaways

  • The FAA keeps air traffic controllers working, so flights continue, but TSA screeners work without pay and absence rates typically rise.
  • Major airport hubs see the longest security lines because they have the most federal workers and the highest passenger volume.
  • Regional and smaller airports sometimes face worse delays than major ones because they have fewer staff to absorb absences.
  • Delays usually worsen after the first week of a shutdown as worker absences accumulate.
  • Flight cancellations are uncommon during shutdowns; delays and longer waits are the primary disruption.

Which Airports Typically See the Longest Delays

The busiest U.S. airports face the most visible disruption because they have the most TSA screeners and the most passengers competing for those screeners' time. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Dallas-Fort Worth International, Los Angeles International, Chicago O'Hare, and the New York area airports (JFK, LaGuardia, Newark) historically report the longest security lines during shutdowns.

However, smaller airports sometimes experience worse proportional delays. An airport with 20 TSA officers that loses 4 to 5 to absences has lost 20 to 25 percent of its capacity. A major hub with 200 officers losing the same percentage still has 150 working. Denver International, Phoenix Sky Harbor, and Miami International have all reported significant delays during past shutdowns despite being smaller than the top five.

Regional airports that serve as connecting hubs—such as Charlotte Douglas, Atlanta, and Dallas—face compounding delays because a slowdown there ripples to connecting flights nationwide. If you are connecting through a major hub, expect longer waits than if you are flying point-to-point to a smaller airport.

What Actually Closes or Reduces Service During a Shutdown

The FAA tower itself stays open. Air traffic controllers continue working. What closes or reduces hours are the non-safety services: airport restaurants and shops may have reduced hours or close entirely if they are federally operated; some airport information desks close; and maintenance work on runways and taxiways stops unless it is an emergency repair.

TSA PreCheck and CLEAR enrollment services typically close because they require federal staff to process applications. If you were planning to enroll during a shutdown, you will need to wait until operations resume. Existing PreCheck members can still use their lanes if TSA has enough screeners working.

Parking facilities, rental car services, and airline operations continue normally because those are private businesses. The disruption is confined to federal functions.

How Long Delays Usually Last

The first few days of a shutdown often show minimal delay increases because most workers show up despite not being paid. After three to five days, absences begin to rise noticeably. By the second week, security lines at major airports can stretch to 45 minutes to over an hour during peak hours, compared to the normal 15 to 30 minutes.

Once a shutdown ends and workers return to normal schedules, delays do not disappear when ready. It takes a few days for staffing to stabilize and for the backlog of delayed flights to clear. If you are flying within the first week after a shutdown ends, expect continued delays as the system catches up.

The length of the shutdown itself matters enormously. A three-day shutdown causes minor delays. A three-week shutdown can create cascading problems: exhausted workers, deferred maintenance issues, and a backlog of delayed flights that takes days to resolve.

Strategies for Flying During a Shutdown

Arrive at the airport earlier than you normally would—add 30 to 45 minutes to your usual arrival time at a major hub, and 15 to 20 minutes at a smaller airport. This buffer absorbs longer security lines without forcing you to rush.

If you have TSA PreCheck or CLEAR, use those lanes. They typically move faster because they require fewer screeners and serve fewer passengers. If you do not have PreCheck and are flying during a shutdown, consider using the standard line rather than waiting for a PreCheck enrollment that will not be processed.

Check your airline's website before heading to the airport. Some airlines add extra flights or adjust schedules during shutdowns to manage the slower ground handling. Knowing your airline's plan helps you decide whether to leave earlier or adjust your travel time.

Avoid peak travel times if your schedule allows. Flying early morning (before 6 a.m.) or late evening (after 8 p.m.) typically means shorter security lines, even during a shutdown.

What to Do If Your Flight Is Delayed or Cancelled

If your flight is delayed, you are not automatically owed compensation just because of the shutdown. U.S. law does not require airlines to pay for delays caused by government actions beyond the airline's control. However, airlines may offer rebooking on the next available flight at no charge, and they must provide reasonable accommodations (food, water, phone calls) if the delay is long.

If your flight is cancelled, the airline must offer a refund or rebooking. Check your airline's website or call their customer service line to understand your options. Do not assume the shutdown caused the cancellation—airlines cancel flights for many reasons, and you should ask the airline directly.

Keep your boarding pass and any receipts for expenses (meals, hotels, ground transportation) if you incur them due to a delay or cancellation. Some airlines will reimburse certain expenses, though policies vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my flight be cancelled because of the shutdown?

Cancellations are uncommon during shutdowns. Airlines continue flying because they are private companies. Delays and longer security lines are the main disruption, not cancellations. Your flight is more likely to be delayed than cancelled.

Do I get a refund if my flight is delayed by the shutdown?

No. U.S. law does not require airlines to compensate passengers for delays caused by government actions outside the airline's control. You may be owed a refund only if you choose not to fly. Check your airline's policy for meal vouchers or rebooking options.

Will TSA PreCheck work during a shutdown?

Yes, existing PreCheck members can use their lanes during a shutdown. However, you cannot enroll in or renew PreCheck during a shutdown because that requires federal staff. If your membership expires during a shutdown, you will lose access to PreCheck lanes until you can renew after operations resume.

Which airports should I avoid during a shutdown?

Major hubs like Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Chicago O'Hare, and New York area airports see the longest delays. If your schedule is flexible, flying through smaller regional airports or during off-peak hours reduces your wait time.

How much earlier should I arrive at the airport?

Add 30 to 45 minutes to your normal arrival time at a major airport, and 15 to 20 minutes at a smaller one. This accounts for longer security lines without forcing you to rush. If you have TSA PreCheck, you may need less extra time.