Do airports close during a government shutdown?

Airports do not generally close solely because of a funding lapse. TSA screening and air traffic control are usually excepted functions, though staffing pressure can cause delays.

Will TSA PreCheck still work during a shutdown?

Existing screening lanes may remain available, but lane operations depend on local staffing. Enrollment and customer support can be affected separately.

Should I cancel a flight because of a shutdown?

A shutdown alone is not a reason to assume your flight is canceled. Check the airline, airport, TSA, and FAA for current conditions and allow extra time.

Were flights cut during the 2025 shutdown?

Yes. An FAA emergency order reduced flights at 40 high-traffic airports starting at 4% on November 7, 2025, with a schedule to reach 10% by November 14. Cuts peaked at 6%, eased to 3% after the government reopened, and were lifted at 6 a.m. ET on November 17, 2025.

Were TSA officers paid during the 2026 DHS shutdown?

A March 27, 2026 executive order directed that TSA employees be paid during the DHS-only lapse that began February 14, 2026. Arrangements like this are specific to a lapse and should not be assumed for the next one.

Air Travel During a Government Shutdown: TSA and FAA

Short answer: Commercial flights and airport security generally continue during a government shutdown. TSA officers and air traffic controllers are usually required to work because their duties protect life and property. Delays can grow if a lapse lasts and unpaid workers face increasing strain.

What stays open

TSA passenger screening and FAA air traffic control are typically treated as excepted activities. Airlines are private businesses and keep operating. Airport facilities are usually run by local authorities rather than the federal government.

Some federal work that supports aviation may slow. Hiring, training, administrative approvals, inspections that are not immediately safety-critical, complaint handling, and project work can be reduced under an agency plan.

Why delays can still happen

Excepted federal employees may have to work before receiving their delayed pay. During long shutdowns, unscheduled absences can rise, making it harder to staff every checkpoint or control facility. Airlines may then face flow restrictions, longer lines, or schedule changes.

A shutdown is only one source of disruption. Weather, equipment, airline staffing, and local construction still matter. Check the operational source closest to the problem.

Need	Check
Flight status or rebooking	Your airline
Airport security wait information	TSA and the airport
Airspace restrictions and national delays	FAA
Airport access, parking, and terminal changes	Airport authority
International document status	State Department

What happened in the 2025 shutdown

The October 1 – November 12, 2025 shutdown showed how unpaid work can eventually reach flight schedules.

Controllers worked without pay. About 13,000 air traffic controllers kept working. They received a partial paycheck on October 14 and a $0 paycheck on October 28, according to their union.
Flight reductions. The FAA issued an emergency order reducing flights at 40 high-traffic airports. Cuts started at 4% on November 7 and were scheduled to rise to 10% by November 14.
Unwinding. Cuts peaked at 6%, eased to 3% after the government reopened, and were lifted at 6 a.m. ET on November 17, 2025—five days after the shutdown ended.

The practical point: disruption can continue for days after funding returns.

2026 DHS lapse. TSA is part of DHS, so it was affected by the DHS-only lapse of February 14 – April 30, 2026. A March 27, 2026 executive order directed that TSA employees be paid. Each lapse can differ; do not assume the same arrangement next time. See the 2025 shutdown and the 2026 lapses.

Travel-day checklist

Confirm the flight in the airline app before leaving.
Check the departure airport’s official alerts.
Allow additional screening time during a prolonged lapse.
Keep medicines and essentials in carry-on baggage.
Do not assume a news report about one airport applies nationwide.
If traveling internationally, verify your passport or visa status separately.

What about TSA PreCheck and Global Entry?

Screening operations and enrollment services are different functions. A PreCheck lane can operate while enrollment appointments or support slow. Global Entry is run by Customs and Border Protection, and its enrollment operations may also vary. Confirm a scheduled appointment before traveling to it.

Official sources

For federal destinations after you land, see national parks during a shutdown.