Officials said Sunday that TSA staffing shortages at MSY are causing security delays with wait times up to 2 hours and could last all week.
NEW ORLEANS — Travelers at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport will need to pack extra patience as the airport is experiencing extremely long lines at the TSA security gate.
Officials provided an update around 5 p.m. Sunday, saying TSA staffing shortages at MSY are causing long security lines with wait times up to 2 hours. Delays could continue through the rest of the week.
“Due to impacts from the federal government’s partial shutdown, there is a shortage of TSA workers at the security checkpoint at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), which is causing longer-than-average lines.
Passengers are advised to arrive at least 3 hours before their scheduled departure to allow plenty of time to undergo security screening. Wait times can be up to 2 hours. The delays could continue through the rest of the week.
For the latest updates on flight status, travelers are encouraged to check directly with their airline.
The Airport has staff on hand to help keep the lines organized, and we will continue to coordinate with our federal partners with the TSA as they navigate this issue.”
Airport spokesperson Erin Burns tells WWL that the lines are the result of a partial government shutdown, but airport staff is working to keep the lines moving.
“Due to impacts from the federal government’s partial shutdown, the TSA at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is experiencing a shortage of workers at the security checkpoint, which is causing longer-than-average lines,” Burns said in a statement to WWL.
“Passengers with travel scheduled today are advised to arrive at least 3 hours before their scheduled departure to allow plenty of time to undergo security screening. For the latest updates on flight status, travelers are encouraged to check directly with their airline.”
Burns added, “The Airport has staff on hand to help keep the lines organized, and we will continue to coordinate with our federal partners with the TSA as they navigate this issue.”
Once word spread about what was causing the delays at TSA, New Orleans Mayor Moreno weighed in on the situation on social media, saying in part;
“We’ve got really, really long lines at the airport, and from talking to the airport officials, it appears that this has to do with the funding bill in Congress. TSA agents didn’t receive a paycheck, so you have a lot of the workforce that has called in sick, which is causing these huge, huge lines.”
“Lines extending all the way, even back into parking garages. So airport folks are, you know, working with TSA trying to see what can be resolved. I’ve also been in touch with our Congressman Troy Carter. He’s going to be having some conversations with folks up in DC in Congress this afternoon. I appreciate him getting on this as well.”
Stay with us for more information on this developing situation as it becomes available.
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