The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is warning that some airports in the country could close in the coming weeks if the partial government shutdown, now entering its second month, lasts longer.
On February 14, the US entered a partial shutdown due to a dispute about the funding of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its agencies, including the TSA, and Customs and Border Protection.
In an interview with Fox News, Acting Deputy TSA Administrator, Adam Stahl, said they might be forced to shut down airports, particularly smaller ones, if TSA agents continued to work without pay and call-out rates continued to increase.
TSA workers have been working without pay since the end of February, resulting in some opting not to show up for their shifts as they seek work elsewhere.
This is leading to long queues with more than three-hour-long security lines at major airports. According to the DHS, Houston, Atlanta and New Orleans have been the worst affected, with call-outs reaching over 50% in Houston and over 30% in New Orleans and Atlanta on March 15 and 16.
