Air travel across the United States is facing significant disruption as long security lines snarl major airports during a partial government shutdown. A shortage of Transportation Security Administration screeners, many of whom have been working without pay, has led to hundreds of resignations and widespread absenteeism. The strain comes as spring break travel increases passenger volume.

Travelers at major hubs such as Atlanta and New York have reported waits lasting several hours, missed flights, and chaotic conditions inside terminals. Some passengers described exhausted officers, arguments in security lines, and overnight stays in airports. Others, however, experienced relatively smooth screenings despite heavy crowds, suggesting uneven impacts nationwide.

Lawmakers remain locked in a dispute over funding for the Department of Homeland Security, with negotiations ongoing in the Senate. Meanwhile, the administration has deployed immigration agents to airports to assist with crowd management, drawing criticism from some Democratic lawmakers and union leaders.

International events are compounding the turmoil. Rising jet fuel costs linked to conflict involving Iran have driven up ticket prices and forced widespread flight cancellations in the Middle East, creating what industry observers describe as a perfect storm of travel disruption.