Core Viewpoint - Major U.S. airline CEOs are urging Congress to quickly resolve a 29-day partial government shutdown that has left 50,000 airport security officers working without pay, warning of potential disruptions to air travel [1][4]. Group 1: Impact on Air Travel - Absences of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers have already caused travel disruptions at major airports, particularly during the busy spring break travel season [2]. - Some airports, such as Houston Hobby and New Orleans, reported security lines exceeding two hours due to increased TSA absences, while Newark experienced higher-than-normal delays [9]. Group 2: Airline Executives' Statements - Airline CEOs expressed that travelers are facing extraordinarily long wait times at security checkpoints and called for immediate action from Congress to fund the Department of Homeland Security [3][4]. - The group of airline executives, including those from cargo carriers like FedEx and UPS, advocated for legislation to ensure that critical aviation personnel are paid during future government shutdowns [5]. Group 3: Government Funding and Political Context - The funding for the Department of Homeland Security lapsed on February 13 due to Congress's failure to reach a deal on immigration enforcement reforms [6]. - U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed optimism that Democrats would eventually prioritize security over political disagreements [6]. Group 4: Expected Travel Trends - Airlines are anticipating a record-breaking spring travel period, with 171 million passengers expected to fly, representing a 4% increase from the same period last year [7].