US Airline CEOs Urge Congress to End Shutdown and Pay Airport Workers Major airline executives have called on U.S. lawmakers to end the ongoing government shutdown, which has left airport workers unpaid and caused widespread travel disruptions. American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, and JetBlue have joined a letter to Congress demanding immediate funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The shutdown, which began in February, has left TSA employees without pay, forcing them to work without compensation while facing financial hardship. The DHS has been operating without funding since February after Congress failed to reach a budget agreement. The Trump administration has blamed the delay on Democratic lawmakers, who refused to approve funding without immigration reforms. In their letter, airline CEOs emphasized that the shutdown has turned air travel into a political issue, urging lawmakers to prioritize resolving the funding crisis. They called for an agreement to restore DHS funding and legislation to ensure air traffic controllers are paid regardless of government funding changes. TSA workers, who are considered essential, have missed their first full paycheck since the shutdown began. Many have struggled to meet basic needs, with some unable to afford food, gas, or rent. Over 300 TSA employees have resigned, and call-out rates for remaining staff have more than doubled. The staffing shortages, combined with severe weather warnings and spring break travel, have led to significant delays at major airports. At Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, travelers were advised to arrive at least 2.5 hours before domestic flights due to prolonged delays.#american_airlines #us_airline_ceos #delta #southwest #jetblue
