"The estimated wait time at the standard security checkpoint at the William P. Hobby Airport in Houston early Sunday evening was at one point three hours, according to the Houston Airports website. The Hobby airport on social media Friday said it expected more travelers than normal due to spring break."
"A statement from Houston Airports, which counts Hobby and George Bush Intercontinental Airport as part of its system, said the shutdown "can impact security operations day-to-day and shift-to-shift." Wait times at checkpoints at George Bush Intercontinental Airport early Sunday evening were as brief as a few minutes."
"Posts on X from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport on Sunday said a shortage of TSA agents at the security checkpoint was leading to "longer-than-average" lines. The airport urged travelers to arrive at least three hours before their flights and said wait times could last up to two hours."
A partial government shutdown of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security beginning February 14 caused significant security checkpoint delays at major airports. Houston's Hobby Airport experienced wait times reaching three hours on Sunday, prompting officials to progressively increase recommended arrival times from early to 4-5 hours before flights. New Orleans International Airport reported TSA agent shortages leading to up to two-hour waits. Both airports attributed delays to the shutdown's impact on daily security operations and staffing. TSA agents continue working without pay during the shutdown. While delays were documented in Houston and New Orleans, it remained unclear whether similar disruptions occurred nationwide, though recent weather-related flight delays had already affected airports like Atlanta.
#government-shutdown #airport-security-delays #tsa-operations #travel-disruptions #homeland-security
Read at ABC7 Chicago
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