Airports in Texas, Louisiana see hourslong lines due to spring break, partial government shutdown

WASHINGTON — A mix of spring break travelers and the partial government shutdown leading to fewer TSA agents working, airports in Texas and Louisiana are seeing hourslong wait times. 

Airport officials from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in New Orleans, Louisiana and the William P. Hobby Airport in Houston, Texas are encouraging passengers to arrive hours before their flights are scheduled to take off to account for the delays. 

Airports are citing the partial government shutdown as one reason for the long lines. 

“Due to impacts from the federal government’s partial shutdown, the TSA at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is experiencing a shortage of workers at the security checkpoint, which is causing longer-than-average lines,” Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport spokesperson Erin Burns said in a statement to WWL. “The Airport has staff on hand to help keep the lines organized, and we will continue to coordinate with our federal partners with the TSA as they navigate this issue.”

She encouraged flyers to arrive at least three hours before their flight. 

Shortly after 1:30 p.m., the William P. Hobby Airport reported wait times of three hours or more to get through the standard security checkpoint. Security wait times on the Fly2Houston.com website bounced between two hours and 3.5 hours throughout Sunday.

The airport is urging passengers to arrive at the airport four to five hours before their scheduled flights, citing, in part, the partial federal government shutdown.

“We appreciate your patience and understanding as our partners work to maintain the safety of all passengers,” the airport said on social media.

In addition to the shutdown impacting staffing, spring break is drawing large crowds at the airports. Houston Airports officials said they expect more than 2.2 million passengers to travel through Hobby and Bush, making it one of the busiest travel stretches of the year.

KHOU 11‘s Michelle Choi was at Bush Airport Saturday morning to speak with travelers.

“It’s just totally busy,” traveler Anna Gazis said. “I’ve never seen it like this, wild.”

Gazis was headed home to Connecticut to help her parents pack for a move. She said that despite the crowds, she remained cautiously optimistic.

“Definitely frustrating, but I’m not too concerned,” she said. “I think we’re going to get through, I just wish we could get through faster.”