Air, Forwarding, Freight News


Forwarders deplore security shutdown

[ March 17, 2026   //   ]

The Airforwarders Association says it is becoming increasingly concerned about the risks to the US aviation system and supply chain following the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security that has been ongoing since February 13.

AfA says that more than 300 Transportation Security Administration (TSA)  officers have already resigned, raising serious questions about staffing resilience across the aviation security system.

It comes ahead of the latest vote in Congress to end the shutdown of DHS and restore pay for personnel.

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 airside efficiency.

AfA sys that while cargo security and screening remain robust, with stringent protocols in place, its members 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 maintain reliability.

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

Forwarders are already navigating grappling with new tariff measures and the conflict in the Middle East, AfA points out.

It is urging policymakers to move quickly to resolve the DHS shutdown, ensure TSA personnel are paid, and provide the stable policy environment that businesses and global supply chains depend upon.

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