The TSA PreCheck program will remain operational at U.S. airports despite a brief weekend announcement that it would be suspended amid the partial federal government shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed Sunday.
The reversal followed swift backlash from airline executives, travel industry groups and lawmakers. While PreCheck lanes will continue for now, Global Entry remains suspended, forcing U.S. travelers to use standard customs lines during the funding lapse.
Industry Reaction
The U.S. Travel Association welcomed the clarification but warned the broader funding crisis remains unresolved.
“We are glad that DHS has decided to keep PreCheck operational and avoid a crisis of its own making,” said Geoff Freeman, President & CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, in a press statement. “We are urging the same for Global Entry. These Trusted Traveler Programs strengthen aviation security and improve screening efficiency. They are funded by user fees, and there is no reason at this time for them to be suspended.”
Freeman emphasized that keeping PreCheck open is critical during a peak travel period but said the situation underscores growing strain on both travelers and frontline TSA officers working without pay.
“Congress must act with urgency to fully fund TSA. Air travel is essential for our economy and daily life, and it’s disgraceful for travel to be used as leverage in political disagreements,” he added.
Airlines for America (A4A) also voiced concern over the initial announcement.
“A4A is deeply concerned that TSA PreCheck and Global Entry programs are being suspended and that the traveling public will be, once again, used as a political football amid another government shutdown,” said A4A President and CEO Chris Sununu, in a media statement. “The announcement was issued with extremely short notice to travelers, giving them little time to plan accordingly, which is especially troubling at this time of record air travel.”
Sununu pointed to the last prolonged shutdown as a warning sign. During the 43-day federal shutdown, more than 9,000 flights were delayed or canceled, affecting six million travelers and contributing to an estimated $6.1 billion in losses across the travel sector.
“It’s past time for Congress to get to the table and get a deal done that ensures TSA can fully operate and their frontline employees can be paid for the important work they do to keep our skies secure,” he said.
Timeline of the Reversal
- Saturday evening (Feb. 21): DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced that TSA PreCheck and Global Entry would be suspended beginning Sunday at 6 a.m. ET, citing the need to refocus unpaid personnel on standard screening lanes.
- Sunday morning (Feb. 22): Following industry and congressional pushback, DHS reversed course on TSA PreCheck.
- Current status (Feb. 23): TSA PreCheck lanes remain operational; Global Entry remains paused.
If the shutdown continues and TSA staffing levels deteriorate, wait times at major hubs, including Atlanta (ATL), New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX) could stretch to three to four hours, according to industry projections.
