Atlanta Airport Faces Long Waits Amid Staffing Shortages

ATLANTA, Ga. — Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is alerting travelers to expect longer wait times at security checkpoints due to staffing shortages. The airport, known as the world’s busiest, issued the advisory via social media just before 10 a.m. on Monday.

Current wait times at the airport’s primary domestic and international security checkpoints are averaging between 20 and 30 minutes. The government shutdown has led to increased delays and cancellations across various airports, including major hubs in Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, and Newark.

“We encourage travelers to allow extra time for screening and appreciate their patience as we work with our partners to maintain safe and efficient operations,” the airport stated. Social media posts earlier in the day showed extensive lines, with one traveler, Adrian Foster, commenting, “I’ve only been here about five minutes and this is the worst I’ve seen so far in the past couple of weeks.”

As of 11:30 a.m., the posted security wait times showed only one to seven minutes at certain checkpoints, but the issues are typically more pronounced during the morning rush hours when the first flights of the day take off.

The airport’s personnel are on site to provide guidance and support as needed. However, the specific reasons for the staffing shortages were not detailed in the announcement. During this government shutdown, essential personnel, including TSA agents and air traffic controllers, are working without pay.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy indicated some TSA workers are calling in sick as a result of not receiving their salaries. Overall, more than 1,260 flights were delayed nationwide over the weekend due to staffing and operational challenges.

This ongoing situation continues to develop, and passengers are advised to stay updated regarding potential delays and operational changes.