Airforwarders Association warns of impact to cargo services from Department of Homeland Security shutdown

Ahead of the latest vote in Congress to end the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and restore pay for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel, we are increasingly concerned about the growing operational risks to the U.S. aviation system and the wider supply chain.

The shutdown has now been ongoing since February 13, and more than 300 TSA officers have already resigned, raising serious questions about staffing resilience across the aviation security system.

While the immediate impact is being felt at passenger checkpoints, prolonged disruption to TSA staffing inevitably creates knock-on effects for airport operations, and the longer the shutdown continues, the greater the potential impact on cargo processing, airport access, and overall airside efficiency.

Cargo security and screening remain robust, with stringent protocols in place.

However, freight forwarders depend on predictable airport operations and stable security programs to move time-sensitive shipments, and any sustained degradation in staffing or operational performance makes it harder for the industry to plan capacity, manage customer expectations, and maintain reliable supply chains.

The longer this shutdown persists, the more disruption will spread, the greater the risk to cargo operations, and the harder recovery will become.

Forwarders are already navigating a complex operating environment shaped by new tariff measures and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The priority now must be to restore stability and predictability for businesses that rely on the movement of goods.

We urge policymakers to move quickly to resolve the DHS shutdown, ensure TSA personnel are paid, and provide the stable policy environment that U.S. businesses and global supply chains depend upon.