Philadelphia Airport Reopens Security Checkpoints Affected by Shutdown
Two security checkpoints at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Terminal A-West and Terminal F, are reopening after closures tied to the government shutdown. The announcement was made on the airport’s social…
Two security checkpoints at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Terminal A-West and Terminal F, are reopening after closures tied to the government shutdown. The announcement was made on the airport's social media channels.
CBS News Philadelphia confirmed the following security checkpoint hours:
- A-West: 5 a.m.–10:15 p.m.
- A-East: 4:15 a.m.–8:15 p.m.
- B: 3:30 a.m.–9:15 p.m.
- C: 4:15 a.m.–8 p.m. (TSA PreCheck only)
- D/E: 3:30 a.m.–11:30 p.m.
- F: 4:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m.
Terminal A-West and Terminal F checkpoints closed on Wednesday, Nov. 5, as the longest government shutdown in American history strained TSA staffing capacity. During the shutdown, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered a 10% reduction in flights at 40 of the country's busiest airports to address a shortage of air traffic controllers. These factors resulted in multiple days of flight delays and cancellations at PHL Airport.
The FAA reversed the order early on Monday, Nov. 17, after the House and Senate passed a spending bill to reopen the government following a 43-day shutdown.
The move by the Philadelphia Airport to resume operations at the two security checkpoints comes just days before the busy holiday travel season begins. Airport officials estimate approximately 1 million passengers will fly to and from PHL between Friday, Nov. 21, and Tuesday, Dec. 2. The busiest travel days are predicted to be the day before Thanksgiving, Wednesday, Nov. 26; Saturday, Nov. 29; and Sunday, Nov. 30.
