The CEO of United Airlines has one request for Congress.
In an interview with CBS News, aired on Tuesday, United CEO Scott Kirby said it’s “unconscionable” that US politicians haven’t reached a deal on Department of Homeland Security funding.
“We are holding airplanes, but when there is a five-hour wait, we can’t hold for everyone,” Kirby said.
He added that he hopes it will be over soon.
“It’s just ridiculous to me that it has to get bad before they can get a deal done,” he said. “Please get the deal done soon.”
Transportation Security Administration workers are working without pay or calling out entirely due to a partial government shutdown that began on February 14. The shutdown closed off funding for most of the DHS, leading to long delays for travelers trying to navigate airport security.
TSA staff absences exceeded 3,450 over the weekend and hundreds of workers have resigned, per DHS data shared with Business Insider.
In January, Congress clashed over the funding package for DHS, as Democratic lawmakers pushed for reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection following the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renée Good. The rest of the government was ultimately funded, but lawmakers have yet to reach a resolution on DHS funding, including money for TSA.
In an open letter earlier this month, the executives of top carriers, including Delta Air Lines, Alaska Air Group, United, and Southwest Airlines, criticized Congress and called air travel a “political football amid another government shutdown.”
The executives added that Americans are “tired of long lines at airports, travel delays and flight cancellations caused by shutdown after shutdown.”
On Monday, ICE agents began deploying to some airports to help with the staffing shortages. Pressure for a deal is growing, and an upcoming March 27 deadline could speed things up.
Kirby’s comments about the TSA funding come amid an industry-wide price spike for flights. Airlines, including Qantas and Air France-KLM, have said they are raising fares amid fuel price increases.
“Air fares will go up, and we’ll probably be less profitable in the short term, United’s Kirby said to CBS. “Air fares are up probably 15% to 20% in the last month.”
Airlines have also had to re-route flight plans to avoid flying over Gulf countries.
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