Air Travel Disruptions Amid Severe Weather and Government Shutdown

Tue Mar 17 2026 06:58:39 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A powerful storm compounded by TSA staffing shortages due to a government shutdown has led to widespread flight cancellations and delays across major U.S. airports, stranding countless travelers.

Severe weather conditions have wreaked havoc on air travel, resulting in hundreds of canceled and delayed flights, particularly in major hubs like Atlanta, Chicago, and New York. The chaos is exacerbated by a government shutdown impacting TSA staffing, worsening security checkpoint wait times during a busy travel period. Many travelers are facing unexpected expenses and lengthy airport stays as they try to return home amidst the turmoil.

ATLANTA (AP) — Hundreds of flights were canceled or delayed Tuesday, one day after powerful storms swept across the eastern U.S., disrupting air travel in numerous cities. Travelers are facing additional bottlenecks at airport security due to a partial government shutdown that is straining TSA staffing.

As of early Tuesday, over 550 flights scheduled to fly in, out of, or within the U.S. have been grounded, with more than 460 delays reported, according to FlightAware.

Major airports have been particularly affected, with the storm, which brought heavy snow to the Midwest, advancing toward the East Coast, raising fears of high winds and tornadoes, as warned by the National Weather Service.

The disruptions coincide with an already hectic travel season as families head home from spring break and fans flock to March Madness games.

Kelly Price, returning to Colorado after a family trip to Orlando, Florida, shared her frustration: Our flight was canceled early Monday, and we ended up spending the night on the airport floor, exhausted and irritable. She noted the next available flight was not until Tuesday afternoon.

Impact on Major Hubs

The widespread cancellations on Monday saw about 600 flights affected by weather in Chicago O'Hare International, over 470 at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson, and more than 450 at New York's LaGuardia Airport.

Citing severe weather, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered ground stops at Hartsfield-Jackson and Charlotte Douglas International and implemented ground delays at JFK and Newark airports.

With the storm's impact, Danielle Cash, stranded in St. Louis while traveling home to Tampa, is grappling with unexpected hotel expenses as she waits for a new flight route through Tennessee.

Government Shutdown Strain

The timing of the storms is critical, as TSA screeners missed their full paycheck over the weekend due to the ongoing government shutdown, which currently affects only the Department of Homeland Security.

Democrats have indicated they would not fund Homeland Security until new immigration restrictions are implemented following several recent high-profile incidents. This is the third government shutdown within a year that has caused delays in TSA payments, leaving many workers struggling financially.

Some airports have reported longer security lines as a result of staffing shortages, with over 300 TSA agents quitting since the shutdown began. TSA leadership is urging travelers to arrive earlier at airports to accommodate potential wait times.

Expectations for Security Lines

As wait times for TSA screenings continue to grow, union leaders in Atlanta are warning that without resolution, travelers can expect increasingly long queues. Many TSA workers are still reporting to work, despite looming financial difficulties. There's a growing sentiment among travelers regarding the urgency of supporting these workers during challenging times.

Travelers at Louis Armstrong International in New Orleans were advised to check in at least three hours early due to the shutdown's impacts. Similarly, Austin's airport shared videos showing long security lines spilling into public areas.

In Atlanta, Mel Stewart and his wife arrived four hours earlier than usual to accommodate potential TSA delays. This has become too politicized — it’s unnecessary for TSA employees to work without pay when they are crucial to our travel experience, he remarked.

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Reporting from various locations contributed to this story, highlighting the widespread impact on travelers across the country.