March 14, 2026
WASHINGTON — As spring break nears, airlines and travelers are bracing for disruptions and delays due to a partial U.S. government shutdown and global travel issues, industry groups say.
With spring break just weeks away and an estimated 171 million passengers expected to fly between March and April, U.S. carriers are preparing for record travel volumes even as uncertainty around federal funding and international tensions clouds the outlook. Airlines for America (A4A) projects airlines will operate about 26,000 daily flights with nearly 3.5 million seats available, up slightly from last year, but cautioned that the ongoing budget impasse could create bottlenecks that overshadow demand.
A partial federal shutdown began in mid-February after lawmakers failed to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Thousands of TSA officers now work without full pay, increasing the risk of absences and slower checkpoint processing, which could lengthen lines and cause delays. TSA staff receive lower-than-usual pay, and some are seeking other jobs or plan to leave, union officials say.
Air traffic controllers are not furloughed, but long-term lack of pay increases the risk of staffing shortages across airports. Travel industry groups warn that TSA screening roles could be cut, leading to longer wait times and more missed or delayed flights during the busy season.
Even aside from domestic issues, international travel corridors remain volatile. Recent geopolitical strife in the Middle East has prompted airspace closures and widespread cancellations of long-haul flights linking the U.S. with parts of Europe, Asia, and the Gulf region. Thousands of flights have been canceled due to suspended operations at key hubs like Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, leaving many passengers stranded and fueling concerns about the impact on global itineraries.
Federal shutdowns also affect programs that speed up air travel. The Global Entry trusted-traveler program is paused, though TSA PreCheck remains active. These programs help frequent and international flyers move quickly through security and customs.
Airlines and travel experts are urging passengers to prepare for possible disruptions by closely monitoring flight statuses, arriving at airports earlier than usual, and remaining flexible with travel plans. Some carriers have already expanded flight options in anticipation of demand, but voice frustration that political gridlock could undermine the travel experience. “Millions of travelers are being used as a political football by the federal government amid another shutdown,” A4A’s president said in the industry forecast.
For students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, many travel over spring break for family visits, vacations, among other things, and disruptions to flight schedules, longer security queues, or sudden cancellations could complicate plans during a critical academic break.
“None of our spring break programs are impacted by the current tensions in the MENA region.
For our summer programs, we cancelled the Qatar program prior to the current conflict for non-risk reasons,” said Sue Macchiarella, the director of Study Abroad & Global Engagement.
“We are wishing all the students a wonderful and safe spring break.”
With FAA staffing concerns and TSA pay issues lingering, even domestic travel within the U.S. carries the risk of unexpected delays. Riddle’s aviation-focused population may understand the technical causes behind these disruptions better than most, but the frustrations of rebooking, extended layovers, and stressed travel companions are familiar to all flyers.
As spring break nears, travelers and industry leaders hope Congress acts swiftly to reduce uncertainty before the travel surge.
