HOUSTON – Travelers flying out of Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Thursday are being warned to prepare for extremely long security lines, with wait times that could reach four hours or more as passenger demand increases and federal staffing shortages continue to impact TSA operations.
Houston Airport officials said wait times on Thursday, March 26, could stretch outside the terminal as thousands of additional passengers are expected to travel through Bush Airport during a busy week for the city.
The surge comes as Houston hosts several major events, including CERAWeek and the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, which are bringing more visitors through local airports.
Airport officials say the ongoing partial federal government shutdown, which began Feb. 14, continues to affect TSA staffing levels nationwide. TSA officers are still working without pay, and staffing levels can change from shift to shift.
Because of the shortages, TSA may reduce the number of open screening lanes at times, which can slow down the security process and lead to longer lines.
To help with the increased demand, a small number of TSA National Deployment Officers arrived at Bush Airport this week. These officers are sent to airports across the country during periods of heavy travel, staffing shortages or major events and are currently helping operate additional screening lanes at IAH.
Airport officials said travelers should be aware of several temporary changes at Bush Airport:
- TSA screening is operating in Terminals A and E only
- TSA PreCheck and CLEAR are not available
- Fewer lanes may be open depending on staffing levels
Officials noted that wait times were shorter on Wednesday because fewer people were traveling, but thousands more passengers are expected on Thursday and Friday, which could significantly increase delays.
How to check updates before heading to the airport
Houston Airports says travelers should check for updates before leaving for the airport, as conditions may change throughout the day.
The warning comes as Bush Airport has become one of the most visible examples of how the federal shutdown is affecting air travel, with long lines, staffing shortages and delays reported in recent days.