Airport delays across the US are expected to intensify this weekend as a government shutdown leaves thousands of security screeners unpaid.

WASHINGTON: US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned on Friday that airport disruptions will escalate as a partial government shutdown continues.

He told CNN that current delays will “look like child’s play” if a funding deal is not reached soon.

The shutdown entered its 35th day, forcing 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers to work without pay. They are set to miss a second full paycheck on March 27.

Airlines and travel groups fear absences among these critical staff will increase again this weekend, coinciding with peak spring break travel.

Long security lines were already reported at major hubs like Atlanta and Houston on Friday.

TSA absences fell slightly to 9.8% nationwide on Thursday from 10.2% the previous day. However, rates remained critically high at key airports, exceeding 30% in Atlanta and Houston.

New York’s JFK airport reported a 29% absence rate, while New Orleans reached 27% and Baltimore-Washington was at 23%.

The US Travel Association, airlines, and hotel chains issued a joint statement warning of “increasing strain on the frontline workforce responsible for protecting millions of travelers.”

Senate Republicans and Democrats were in talks on Friday to try to reach a deal to fund the TSA, according to Senate Majority Leader John Thune.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed 366 TSA officers have left their jobs since the shutdown began. DHS funding lapsed on February 13 after Congress failed to agree on immigration enforcement reforms.

A previous 43-day government shutdown last fall led to widespread flight disruptions, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration to order a 10% flight cut at major airports.

Airlines are bracing for a record-breaking spring travel period, forecasting 171 million passengers, a 4% increase from the same period last year.

 The Sun Malaysia