What to know about possible closures of some US airports
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- TSA officers have missed two full paychecks since mid-February due to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding lapse, leading to increased absenteeism and potential airport closures.
- A union leader revealed that about 75 smaller airports might be closed to reassign officers to larger hubs experiencing long security lines, though the specific airports have not been publicly disclosed.
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and TSA officials warned that staffing shortages could force lane consolidations and airport closures, with some airports already seeing absentee rates as high as 40%.
- President Trump announced plans to sign an emergency order to pay TSA officers amid congressional deadlock, which could alleviate the severe security delays at airports.
- Experts caution that closing smaller airports would disrupt the broader air traffic network and negatively impact local communities, businesses, and the national economy.
