Travellers faced long security lines at several US airports over the weekend—disruptions officials say are likely to continue this week as spring‑break travel peaks and the TSA struggles with staffing shortages amid a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Transportation Security Administration.
Photos and videos shared on social media showed security lines snaking through terminals and even spilling into parking lots.
The longest waits so far have been reported at Houtson's William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), where security lines stretched to nearly three hours on 08MAR, according to TSA data. HOU officials warned travellers to arrive four to five hours before departure, as spring break travel adds to the pressure on screening checkpoints.
Many college and university students, plus families from K–12 districts that stagger breaks through March and April (especially in Sun Belt and coastal states such as Florida, Texas and California), are on the move, amplifying pressure on screening checkpoints.
“Spring Break brings some of the busiest travel days of the year,” noted Jim Szczesniak, Director of Aviation for Houston Airports, in a post on X.
The airport system expects about 2.2 million travellers during the holiday period this week while the federal government remains partially shut down. “With strong travel demand and fewer screening lanes open at some checkpoints, wait times can grow quickly when more passengers meet fewer security lanes,” Szczesniak said, noting some TSA officers have taken extra shifts to keep screening lanes open.
Long lines were also reported at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, where the airport posted on X Monday (09MAY) morning: “Due to impacts from the federal government's partial shutdown, there continues to be a shortage of TSA workers at the security checkpoint at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), which is causing longer-than-average lines.”
“Passengers are advised to arrive at least 3 hours before their scheduled departure to allow plenty of time to undergo security screening," adds the statement. "Wait times could be up to 2 hours. The delays could continue through the rest of the week.”
Other airports reporting extended waits included Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport, with TSA data showing waits for security clearance alone ranging from about 45 minutes to an hour.
Meanwhile, at Kansas City International Airport, the terminals were temporarily evacuated 08MAR after a possible threat was reported. Airport police and law enforcement, including the FBI, cleared travellers from the terminal and held inbound flights on the taxiway.
“Airport Police are working with the FBI to substantiate any potential threat," an Aviation Department spokesperson said.
Passengers were moved onto the tarmac between Terminals A and B while authorities investigated, including a sweep of the parking garage, where a vehicle was initially flagged as suspicious by K9 units. Bomb and arson investigators ultimately determined there was no threat. The terminal evacuation lasted about two hours, and the garage was closed for an additional three hours.
Flights were temporarily grounded, and highway access to the airport was blocked during the incident.
