The chief executives of major U.S. passenger and cargo airlines have sent a letter to congressional leaders, urging them to pass a full-year appropriations bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and avert a partial government shutdown. The letter, dated March 14, 2026, was signed by the CEOs of American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and Alaska Airlines, among others.
The CEOs warned that a lapse in funding for DHS, which oversees the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), would significantly disrupt air travel. They stated that previous shutdowns have led to security checkpoint closures, increased wait times, and the absence of key personnel, undermining the system's efficiency and security.
The airlines emphasized that the travel and tourism industry supports millions of jobs and that a stable, fully funded DHS is critical for its operation. The letter calls on Congress to find a bipartisan solution to fund the department for the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends on September 30, 2026, to ensure the safety and security of the traveling public.
