PHOENIX — Travelers at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) continued to experience relatively short TSA security wait times Wednesday amid the ongoing partial government shutdown, with most checkpoints reporting waits of under 15 minutes even as two Terminal 4 lanes remained closed due to staffing shortages.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

As of late Tuesday evening and early Wednesday, March 25, 2026, official airport data showed Terminal 3 checkpoint at approximately 6 minutes, Terminal 4 Checkpoint A at 5 minutes, and Terminal 4 Checkpoint C at 6 minutes. Checkpoints B and D in Terminal 4 stayed closed, directing passengers to the open lanes. All gates in Terminal 4 remain accessible from any checkpoint, allowing flexibility for travelers facing longer lines.

Sky Harbor, one of the busiest airports in the Southwest and a major hub for American Airlines and Southwest Airlines, has largely avoided the multi-hour delays plaguing other major U.S. hubs during the shutdown. While some days last week saw waits climb to 20-30 minutes during peak periods or after checkpoint closures, average times this week have stayed between 5 and 15 minutes at open lanes, according to the airport's live tracking and local news reports.

The partial government shutdown, now stretching into its fifth week, has caused widespread TSA officer call-outs and resignations nationwide as employees work without guaranteed pay. At Sky Harbor, staffing shortages forced temporary closures of Terminal 4 Checkpoints B and D on multiple days, including Friday, March 20, and again in recent shifts. On Saturday, March 22, some travelers reported waits nearing 30 minutes during early morning rushes, contributing to over 50 flight delays that day.

Airport officials have not requested Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to supplement TSA screeners at this time, though ICE personnel have been deployed to other airports facing more severe backups. Sky Harbor spokespeople emphasized that TSA officers continue showing up despite financial hardship, and the airport's layout with multiple flexible checkpoints helps mitigate disruptions.

"Phoenix Sky Harbor has maintained manageable security wait times compared to many other large airports," one recent local report noted. Real-time data on the official skyharbor.com website updates frequently, showing clear indicators for each checkpoint and advising passengers to check before heading to the airport.

Under normal conditions, TSA wait times at PHX average 10-20 minutes, with peaks during early morning (5-8 a.m.) and late afternoon (3-7 p.m.) rushes sometimes reaching 25-40 minutes. Spring break travel has added volume this month, yet the airport has kept lines moving efficiently through open checkpoints and PreCheck lanes.

TSA PreCheck remains available at all open checkpoints, often clearing in under 10 minutes or even "less than one minute" during lighter periods. CLEAR biometric screening is also offered, providing another expedited option for enrolled travelers. The airport strongly recommends enrollment in these programs for frequent flyers to minimize delays.

Travelers can monitor wait times directly on the Sky Harbor website under the "Security Wait Times" section or via flight information screens inside the terminals. The MyTSA mobile app from the Transportation Security Administration also provides useful data, including crowd-sourced updates and historical patterns for PHX.

Practical advice for passengers includes:

- Arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours for international departures.
- Check the skyharbor.com website or app immediately before leaving for the airport.
- Use open checkpoints in Terminal 4 (A and C) and move between them if one line grows longer.
- Have boarding pass and ID ready, remove liquids, laptops and large electronics early, and wear slip-on shoes to speed screening.
- Consider off-peak flight times if schedules allow.

The airport handled more than 50 million passengers in 2025, with strong growth continuing into 2026. Its modern facilities and multiple security options have helped buffer the national staffing strain better than single-terminal or more congested hubs.

TSA officers at Sky Harbor, like their colleagues elsewhere, continue working without timely pay, leading some to take second jobs or rely on savings and community support. Union leaders have urged Congress to resolve the funding impasse and provide back pay promptly.

While Phoenix has fared better than airports reporting waits of two to six hours elsewhere, officials warn that conditions can change quickly with passenger surges, weather or further call-outs. Spring break and regular business travel continue to test capacity.

Sky Harbor has invested in recent years to improve passenger flow, including expanded checkpoint areas and better signage. Those upgrades, combined with proactive monitoring, have kept most waits short even with reduced staffing.

For international travelers or those with disabilities and families, designated assistance lanes and extra time are recommended. The airport provides clear guidance on its security FAQs page.

As negotiations in Washington continue over Department of Homeland Security funding, travelers at Sky Harbor appear positioned for smoother experiences than many counterparts nationwide. Still, the consistent message from airport leaders remains: plan ahead, check real-time data and allow buffer time.

Anyone flying soon from PHX should refresh wait times frequently at skyharbor.com or through the MyTSA app. With spring travel in full swing, even short lines can build during peak windows, though current conditions suggest most passengers can move through security efficiently.

Phoenix Sky Harbor's ability to maintain reasonable TSA wait times amid national challenges highlights the dedication of local staff and the airport's operational resilience. For now, the situation remains traveler-friendly relative to broader trends, but vigilance and preparation are key in an unpredictable environment.