TSA staffing shortages tied to a funding impasse are raising concerns about potential airport closures, but Fresno Yosemite International Airport remains unaffected, officials said. (GV Wire/David Taub)
- Some small U.S. airports could temporarily close due to rising TSA officer absences.
- Absenteeism among TSA officers reached 10% Monday, with major airports facing higher shortages.
- Fresno Yosemite International Airport maintains normal operations amid national TSA staffing concerns.
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Some small U.S. airports could face temporary closures due to staffing shortages among Transportation Security Administration officers, but Fresno Yosemite International Airport is not currently at risk, according to airport officials.
A senior Trump administration official warned Tuesday that continued absenteeism among TSA screeners during an ongoing government funding impasse could force certain airports to shut down if staffing levels worsen, Reuters reported.
The Department of Homeland Security reported that 10.2% of TSA officers were absent Monday, slightly up from 10.1% the day before. Absenteeism rates were significantly higher at some major airports, including 30% at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, 37% in Atlanta, 35% at Houston Hobby and 39% in New Orleans.
About 50,000 TSA officers have been working without pay for the past month due to the budget standoff, and 366 officers have quit, according to Reuters. Typically, fewer than 2% of TSA workers are absent.
Smaller Airports Could Be Vulnerable
Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl said smaller airports could be especially vulnerable because many operate with a single security checkpoint.
“As the weeks continue, if this continues, it’s not hyperbole to suggest that we may have to quite literally shut down airports — particularly smaller ones if callout rates go up,” Stahl said in an interview with Fox News.
Large airports may be able to continue operations by consolidating screening into fewer checkpoints, but smaller facilities may not have that flexibility.
Fresno Airport Operations Are Normal
Despite the national concerns, officials at Fresno Yosemite International Airport said operations remain stable.
A spokesperson told GV Wire on Wednesday that TSA has maintained adequate staffing levels to support screening operations at Fresno Yosemite International Airport and that airport leadership has not received any official notification indicating the airport would be affected by potential closures mentioned in recent news reports.
The funding lapse began Feb. 13 after Congress failed to reach a deal on immigration enforcement reforms.
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