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

By David Shepardson

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.

Last fall, airport security screeners went without pay for 43 days.

Unlike last fall's shutdown, Congress has approved legislation to fund air traffic control operations through September 30.

Absences of air traffic controllers led to tens of thousands of flight cancellations and delays after October 1, when the shutdown began and prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to impose significant flight cuts at 40 major airports.

During the shutdown last year the Homeland Security Department said it would pay more than 70,000 law enforcement officers across DHS including those at CBP, ICE, Secret Service and TSA. DHS said in October that TSA federal air marshals would get paid but not airport screening officers.