Airlines, travel groups warn of impact of partial government shutdown on airport screeners

WASHINGTON, Feb 13 (Reuters) – Major airlines and travel groups on Friday urged Congress to avoid a partial government shutdown, which would result in about 50,000 airport security officers not getting paid ahead of the busy U.S. spring break travel period.

Transportation Security Administration personnel are set to work unpaid starting Saturday without an agreement on funding Homeland Security Department agencies.

“Travelers and the U.S. economy cannot afford to have essential TSA personnel working without pay, which increases the risk of unscheduled absences and call outs, and ultimately can lead to higher wait times and missed or delayed flights,” said Airlines for America, U.S. Travel and American Hotel & Lodging Association in a joint statement.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama )