“The 10 biggest booking weeks of our history have been the first 10 weeks of this year,” said United Airlines chief executive Scott Kirby, who described current travel demand as “remarkable.”

Robust travel demand represented a bright spot for airlines in presentations Tuesday even as United and it’s two chief rivals, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, each estimated a $400 million hit to first-quarter profits because of surging jet fuel costs due to the Middle East war.

The price of jet fuel, the industry’s second biggest expense after labor, has risen sharply following a roughly 40 percent surge in crude prices since the February 28 start of the US-Israeli military operation against Iran.

Airline analysts have warned that the price rises could dent profitability if carriers eat the cost or pass them on to consumers, eroding demand.

But as of mid-March, consumers remain eager to fly.

“Sales for us have been very, very strong all quarter long, most particularly starting off in the March spring season, which is typically the season when travel bookings really start to accumulate,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian, noting that eight of the company’s 10 highest sales days in history came during the quarter.

Bastian reported broad-based growth in Delta’s domestic market. By contrast the company has seen “a very modest decline in Europe since the war started.” 

But Bastian said less than 20 percent of the carrier’s transatlantic revenues is from point-of-sale Europe.

Delta raised its first-quarter revenue forecast, while confirming its profit outlook.

American Airlines also lifted its revenue growth outlook to more than 10 percent from the prior range of 7-10 percent. 

However, American cautioned that its earnings per share would be at the “lower end of guidance.” 

Besides the jet fuel hit, officials at American also pointed to a $200 million drag due to flight cancelations and disruptions from storms.

American CEO Robert Isom described demand as “incredibly strong.”

In light of higher fuel costs, United decided last week to trim about one percent of capacity in May and June, said Kirby, who noted that the reduction would hit unpopular flying times, such as red eyes and mid-week.

Airlines are also beginning to pass higher jet fuel costs through to consumers.

“The industry has so far done a good job of moving at good speed on fuel,” said Delta Chief Commercial Officer Joe Esposito.

Shares of Delta jumped 6.6 percent in Tuesday trading, while United gained 3.2 percent and American 3.5 percent.

Credits: US Airlines

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Airlines for America and major U.S. carriers are urging Congress to resolve the federal funding standoff that has left thousands of airport security officers unpaid, warning the situation is already disrupting travel across the United States and could worsen as spring break travel peaks.

Airline executives say the ongoing government shutdown is causing longer security lines, missed flights, and growing operational costs while undermining confidence in the country’s aviation system.

Airline CEOs Warn of Travel System Strain

The call for action comes from the chief executives of the largest U.S. airlines, including:

• American Airlines
• United Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Southwest Airlines
• JetBlue Airways
• Alaska Airlines

Cargo carriers, including FedEx and UPS, also joined the appeal.

In a joint letter to lawmakers, the airline leaders called on Congress to immediately restore funding for the Department of Homeland Security and ensure pay for workers at the Transportation Security Administration.

The airline industry warned that aviation security personnel and air traffic controllers are essential to maintaining the safe and efficient operation of the national airspace system and should not become casualties of political budget disputes.

Background: Why TSA Workers Are Unpaid

The crisis stems from a partial federal shutdown affecting the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the TSA.

The shutdown began after lawmakers failed to reach agreement on funding legislation tied largely to immigration enforcement and border policy disputes in Congress.

Under federal law, TSA officers are considered essential personnel and must continue working even when the government shuts down. However, they do not receive paychecks until funding legislation is passed.

Approximately 50,000 TSA officers across the country have continued screening passengers and baggage without pay since the shutdown began.

Staffing Shortages Emerging at Airports

Airlines say the lack of pay is beginning to affect staffing levels at airport security checkpoints.

Reports indicate that hundreds of TSA officers have resigned since the shutdown began, while absenteeism has increased as workers struggle with financial pressures.

As a result, some airports have experienced:

• Temporary closures of certain security lanes
• Reduced screening capacity
• Longer wait times at checkpoints

For airlines operating tightly coordinated schedules, even small disruptions in security processing can ripple across the entire network.

Passengers Facing Long Lines and Missed Connections

Travelers are already feeling the effects.

Several U.S. airports have reported security lines stretching for hours, forcing passengers to arrive significantly earlier than usual.

Travel advisors and airlines are urging passengers to:

• Arrive at airports three to four hours before departure
• Allow extra time for connecting flights
• Check airline notifications for schedule updates

Long security queues are increasing the risk of missed flights and missed connections, especially for travelers on domestic itineraries with shorter transfer windows.

The timing is particularly problematic as airports enter the busy spring break travel period, when millions of Americans take vacations and family trips.

Airlines Facing Operational and Financial Impact

Airlines say they are doing their best to minimize disruptions by holding aircraft for delayed passengers when possible and rebooking travelers who miss flights due to security delays.

However, such measures carry significant costs.

Operational impacts include:

• Additional fuel burn when flights are delayed on the ground
• Increased rebooking and passenger service costs
• Crew scheduling disruptions
• Potential flight cancellations if delays cascade through the system

Airports are also experiencing economic losses as overcrowded terminals reduce time passengers spend in retail and dining areas.

Airports Support Unpaid TSA Workers

In some cases, airport communities have stepped in to help unpaid security officers.

Several airports have launched donation drives and support programs to provide food, grocery cards, and other assistance to TSA employees who have missed paychecks.

These initiatives reflect growing concern across the aviation industry that prolonged shutdowns could threaten workforce stability in security screening and air traffic management.

Industry Push for Long-Term Legislative Solution

Airlines and travel industry groups say the current crisis highlights a structural weakness in the aviation system.

Industry leaders are urging Congress to adopt legislation ensuring that aviation safety personnel—including TSA officers and air traffic controllers—are automatically funded during government shutdowns.

According to airline executives, aviation security is part of the nation’s critical infrastructure and should not be disrupted by political impasses.

Until Congress resolves the funding dispute, however, travelers across the United States may continue to face longer airport lines, flight disruptions, and growing uncertainty in the nation’s air travel system.

Credits: US Airlines

The post US Airlines Urge Government to Pay TSA Workers as Shutdown Disrupts Air Travel first appeared on AircrewNews.com.