Travelers flying out of NYC area airports: Be prepared to wait - Gothamist

What changed at NYC-area airports

Travelers departing New York City-area airports faced longer security lines on March 22, 2026, as staffing pressures hit Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints. The disruption coincided with a partial US federal government shutdown that had moved into its second month.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) attributed the slowdowns to higher absenteeism among TSA officers who were not receiving pay during the funding lapse. DHS said the resulting staffing gaps created bottlenecks that extended passenger wait times.

Who is affected, where, and why

The delays were reported across New York City-area airports, including LaGuardia, with impacts also felt at major hubs such as John F. Kennedy International Airport. DHS indicated that call-out rates at large airports like JFK and LaGuardia were higher than the national average.

Nationwide, DHS said TSA officer call-outs exceeded 11% on Saturday and were above 9% each day over the prior week. DHS also noted that many officers were under financial strain without pay, which it linked to the elevated absence rates.

What is driving the shutdown

The shutdown began on February 14 and stems from a congressional impasse over DHS funding. DHS funding negotiations, as described in the report, have centered on proposed changes involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection.

While the immediate effect is visible at airport checkpoints, the underlying issue is budget authority for a department that includes both aviation security and border-related agencies. The report did not provide details on the specific reforms under debate or the status of negotiations beyond the stated deadline pressure.

Operational responses and contingency plans

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey advised passengers to monitor airport websites and airline apps for live updates on screening times and flight status. It also said it added customer service personnel to help manage lines and assist travelers.

President Donald Trump said he could send ICE officers to airports if lawmakers did not reach a funding agreement by Monday. He suggested ICE personnel could take on certain non-specialized tasks typically handled around TSA operations, though the report did not specify what functions would be reassigned or how quickly such a move could be implemented.

Community support and near-term uncertainty

Outside government, the United Bodegas of America announced “Operation Rescue TSA,” described as an emergency credit initiative intended to help unpaid TSA staff buy basic necessities. The scope, eligibility rules, and size of the program were not detailed in the report.

The near-term outlook remains uncertain because the key variable is whether DHS funding is restored and how quickly staffing normalizes afterward. Until then, travelers, airlines, and airport operators face operational risk from unpredictable checkpoint throughput, especially during peak departure windows.

💊 Kapsül Analysis

📌 What Happened?

• NYC-area airports, including LaGuardia, saw longer TSA waits on March 22, 2026 during a partial federal shutdown.

• DHS reported higher TSA absenteeism tied to unpaid workers, creating screening bottlenecks.

• DHS said TSA call-outs were over 11% on Saturday and above 9% daily over the past week, with higher rates at JFK and LaGuardia.

🔍 Why It Matters

• Airport screening capacity is a binding constraint for passenger throughput, affecting flight schedules and traveler behavior.

• The shutdown reflects a DHS funding dispute involving ICE and Customs and Border Protection reforms, linking aviation operations to broader policy negotiations.

• Financial stress among unpaid staff can amplify operational volatility until funding is restored.

📈 Market & Political Impact

• Markets: Operational disruptions can raise near-term costs for airlines and airports; uncertainty can affect travel demand expectations.

• Macro: Travel friction can weigh on services activity at the margin, though the report provides no quantified economic impact.

• Geopolitics/trade: US aviation reliability matters for global business travel and connectivity, with spillovers for international itineraries via NYC hubs.

👁️ What to Watch

• Whether a DHS funding deal is reached by the stated Monday deadline and how quickly TSA staffing stabilizes.

• Any implementation details on using ICE officers for non-specialized airport tasks.

• Updated TSA call-out rates and reported wait times at JFK, LaGuardia, and other major airports.

📋 Source Status

Single-source

📊 Confidence

Level: Medium — figures and attributions are specific, but details on negotiations and contingency execution are limited.

Implications

Country Impact: For the United States, the episode shows how a DHS funding lapse can quickly affect critical transport infrastructure. The political dispute over DHS funding, including ICE and border agency reforms, is directly shaping day-to-day airport operations.

Industry Impact: Airlines, airports, and travel services face higher operational strain when screening capacity tightens, including longer queues and potential knock-on effects to departures. Customer service staffing increases can help manage lines but do not replace trained screening personnel.

Market Impact: For markets, the immediate channel is through travel and aviation-related firms facing uncertainty around passenger throughput and near-term costs. Globally, disruptions at NYC hubs can ripple into international itineraries and business travel planning, affecting connectivity across regions.