GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – While airports across the United States report long security lines and staffing shortages during the ongoing partial government shutdown, officials in Green Bay say operations there remain steady.
Even as Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers continue working without pay, management at Austin Straubel International Airport says employees are still reporting for duty.
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“We have a very dedicated staff of TSA employees that are showing up for work every day and making sure our passengers are getting processed through our airport,” Austin Straubel Assistant Director Rachel Engler said.
The situation in Green Bay stands in contrast to some larger airports nationwide. Wait times across the country have stretched for hours as staffing shortages worsen amid the government shutdown.
Locally, however, officials say they are not anticipating significant disruptions in the coming weeks, even as travel demand rises.
“We have a lot more traffic coming through in the next week or two for spring break,” Engler said. “Planes are going to be full, other airports will be busy as well. It’s going to be a fun time.”
Meanwhile, questions have surfaced about whether Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents could assist with airport operations during staffing shortages. Officials at airports in both Green Bay and Appleton declined to comment on the possibility.
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“Honestly, I don’t even want to speculate since it’s not expected to happen at this time,” Engler said.
For now, airport leaders in Green Bay say operations remain smooth, though they acknowledge conditions could change if the shutdown persists.
