As per reports, nearly 500 Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers have resigned since the start of a partial US government shutdown in mid-February. As of Wednesday (25 March), over 11 percent of TSA personnel, approximately 3,120 officers, were absent from duty, with some major airports including JFK, Atlanta, Houston, Baltimore, and New Orleans reporting absentee rates of 30 percent or higher.
The staffing shortages have resulted in extended security wait times across multiple US airports, with delays exceeding four hours in some locations. Increased travel demand linked to the spring break period has further strained operations, with passenger volumes reported at approximately 5 percent higher than the previous year.
• Authorities indicated that smaller airports may face temporary closures if staffing levels continue to decline. Additional federal personnel, including ICE officers, have been deployed to assist with screening operations and crowd management. Discussions on restoring funding for TSA operations remain ongoing at the federal level.
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