Major travel groups and airlines are pushing US lawmakers to reach a deal on government funding ahead of a partial shutdown, arguing it could lead to travel chaos during spring break.
Several groups, including Airlines for America, said in a joint statement that without a deal, the risk of unscheduled absences by Transportation Security Administration workers increased, causing flight delays and longer wait times.
Travellers and the US economy cannot afford to have essential TSA personnel working without pay, they said.
A partial government shutdown is set to begin at midnight (05:00 GMT) on Saturday after lawmakers failed to agree on funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
In exchange for a funding deal, Democrats had been pushing for more restrictions on US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which will not be significantly affected by the shutdown due to prior funding measures. They have demanded reforms following controversial incidents involving ICE agents.
On Thursday, Senate Democrats blocked two funding bills lacking the immigration reforms they sought, resulting in a one-off funding measure that only secured the DHS’s budget for the next two weeks.
US President Donald Trump has indicated uncertainty about reaching a compromise, emphasizing the need to safeguard law enforcement interests.
The shutdown could disrupt several DHS-managed agencies, including the TSA and the US Coast Guard, which would affect thousands of federal workers and possibly suspend non-essential operations.
Although last year witnessed a lengthy shutdown, which crippled airport operations, this shutdown may cause less disruption due to already secured funding for the Federal Aviation Administration.
As the clock ticks, both parties may be urged to collaborate to avoid lengthy airport queues and travel complications during an economically significant period.
