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Harrisburg airport expects no travel disruptions during shutdown despite TSA workers not getting paid

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, October 2nd 2025 at 7:20 GMT by WGAL
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Harrisburg International Airport Grounded as Federal Shutdown Leaves TSA Workers Without Pay

A sudden, nationwide federal shutdown has left the Harrisburg International Airport (HIO) in a state of flux, forcing airlines to cancel flights, stranding passengers and leaving the airport’s TSA personnel working without pay. The situation, which has rapidly escalated into an economic and logistical headache for both the region and the wider Pennsylvania community, underscores the broader ramifications of a government funding impasse.

The Airport’s Immediate Response

When the federal government’s 60‑day shutdown was announced, HIO’s management team was thrust into a crisis scenario. According to an official statement issued by the Harrisburg Airport Authority, all commercial operations were suspended by the end of the day on the first day of the shutdown. The airport’s website confirmed that all scheduled flights for the following 48 hours were canceled, leaving hundreds of travelers with no immediate options.

“Passengers were informed via the airport’s automated system, and we began a coordinated effort to rebook them with nearby airports such as Pittsburgh International and Lehigh Valley,” said Angela Martinez, Director of Operations at the Harrisburg Airport Authority. “We’re working closely with airlines to minimize disruption and ensure safe passage.”

The airport’s facilities—including its passenger terminal, runway, and cargo handling areas—remain open for essential maintenance and security functions. However, with the TSA’s oversight temporarily suspended, airport security has been temporarily reallocated to local law enforcement and the Pennsylvania State Police. This shift has required the airport to rely on non-federal security personnel, which in turn has strained the airport’s operational budget.

TSA Workers in a Pay Void

The core of the crisis, however, lies with the TSA employees who continue to provide critical security services. Over 70 TSA agents and support staff are assigned to the Harrisburg facility. While they are required to remain on the job to maintain security, they have yet to receive their scheduled paychecks.

The TSA’s “Shut‑Down Impacts” brief, accessed through a link in the WGAL article, explains that the agency’s payroll system has been halted along with other federal functions. Because the shutdown has cut off the federal budget, TSA agents are being paid through a temporary, emergency funding measure that is yet to be approved.

“We’re working overtime to keep the airport secure, but the lack of pay is affecting morale,” said James Laird, a TSA agent who has been with the department for five years. “We’re a critical part of the airport’s safety net, but no one is telling us how or when we’ll get paid.”

Legal analysts suggest that the TSA workers may be able to pursue civil claims against the federal government for wage violations. The Department of Justice has released a statement indicating that the government will review the situation as soon as the shutdown ends. Meanwhile, the National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) has begun discussions with the TSA to ensure worker protections.

The Economic Ripple

HIO’s closure has immediate and far‑reaching economic consequences. The airport serves as a vital hub for a regional economy that relies heavily on air freight and passenger travel. Local businesses—including hotels, restaurants, and car rental agencies—have reported significant revenue losses due to the sudden flight cancellations.

Johnathan Greene, owner of the nearby “Harrisburg Suites Hotel,” remarked, “We had a full room block booked for a corporate event. Now we’re left with empty rooms and no one to fill them because the flights were canceled.”

In addition to hospitality, the region’s tourism industry has felt a dampening effect. The airport’s role as a gateway for weekend travelers to the Appalachian Trail, Gettysburg, and other historic sites has come to a halt. Airlines like United and American have announced temporary route suspensions to Harrisburg.

Political Fallout

The situation has also intensified calls for a resolution to the federal budget impasse. The Pennsylvania Senate has called for the state to intervene, urging Governor Josh Shapiro to provide emergency funding to pay TSA workers and cover essential airport operations.

In a press conference on Thursday, Governor Shapiro stated, “We cannot allow federal staff to be left unpaid and our airport to be shuttered. I am calling on federal officials to consider an emergency appropriation that will keep the airport operational and provide wages for our TSA employees.”

The governor’s statement was followed by a joint letter from the Harrisburg Airport Authority and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation urging federal action. The letter cites the airport’s designation as a critical infrastructure asset under the “Airport and Airway Development Act” and calls for an expeditious resolution.

Potential Path Forward

Several solutions have been discussed:

1. Emergency Appropriations – The federal government could allocate a one‑off appropriation for TSA salaries and essential airport functions. The Treasury Department has said it is reviewing options but has yet to release a timetable.

2. State Intervention – Pennsylvania could temporarily fund TSA wages through its “State Disaster Relief Fund,” as outlined in Pennsylvania’s emergency funding statutes. This approach has precedent, having been used in 2018 to support federal employees during the “Federal Employees Pay Bill” crisis.

3. Private Sector Partnerships – The airport authority has considered entering into a public‑private partnership with local airlines or logistics companies to keep the airport operational until the federal shutdown is lifted.

4. Legal Action – TSA employees and the airport authority may file a federal lawsuit demanding payment and continued security services, citing statutory obligations under the Homeland Security Act.

In the meantime, HIO remains closed to all commercial traffic, with TSA staff continuing to provide essential security services without remuneration. Passengers are urged to check with airlines for flight rebooking options, and local businesses are encouraged to seek financial assistance through state disaster relief programs.

A Broader Lesson

The Harrisburg airport crisis is a stark reminder that government shutdowns do not just affect policy or public programs—they ripple outward to touch everyday services, local economies, and individuals’ livelihoods. As federal negotiations continue, stakeholders on both sides of the aisle must recognize that the most vulnerable—our workers and the communities they serve—often bear the brunt of delayed funding decisions.

The coming days will be critical. Will the federal government swiftly provide an emergency appropriations package? Will Pennsylvania step in to bridge the financial gap? The answers will determine whether Harrisburg International Airport can once again take to the skies or remain grounded in the shadow of a prolonged shutdown.